How  To  Destroy 


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PLANTS  AND  FLOWERS 


H  O  W 


ESTROY  INSECTS, 


House-Plants,  Flowers,  Etc. 


IN 

WINDOW, 


.THE  HOUSE. 


NEW  YORK: 

RALPH  H.  WAGGONER,  PUBLISHER, 
1892, 


Copyright, 

*y 

HENRY  T.  WILLIAMS. 


INTRODUCTION.; 


HAT  AILS  MY  PLANTS?  is%a 
question   asked  more  than  any 
other  by  lovers  of  flowers  and 
window-gardening ;  while  bugs, 
beetles,     insects,     worms,     etc., 
l^vW^^^^T       lun     over     their    flowers     and 
^^JA^i'  ^        plants,   and    appear    and   reap 
s»>  pear  so  often  that  the  cultiva 

tor  keeps  asking  all  the  year  round:   "How  shall  1 
kill  these   pests?" 

To  answer  thousands  of  these  .  questions  and  help 
every  one  out  of  their  difficulties,  this  little  hand- 
book has  been  prepared,  giving  directions,  short, 
sharp,  and  decisive,  how  to  overcome  every  insect 
enemy  that  infests  flowers  and  plants  out-doors  and 


4  INTR  0  D  UCTION. 

in-doors,  which  troubles  window-gardens  or  plants; 
which  eats  up  the  vegetables  of  the  garden,  which 
devours  the  fruit-trees  and  shrubs  and  vines,  and 
fives  in  the  homes  of  anxious,  tired  housekeepers. 

And  so  it  is  presented  to  you,  reader,  as  the  result 
of  many  thousand  experiments  and  years  of  experi- 
ence, of  many  cultivators,  and  in  every  particular  its 
directions  have  been  made  simple  and  practical. 


PART  I. 


INSECTS  IN  THE  WINDOW  GARDEN. 


RED  SPIDER. 

Water  Remedy. 

LOOK  on  the  outside  of  the  leaves  of  your  plants 
carefully  whenever  they  seem  troubled  or  diseased,  and 
underneath  will  be  seen  from  one  to  an  innumerable 
number  of  insects,  red  spiders,  which  suck  the  juices 
entirely  out  of  the  leaves  of  the  plants  upon  which  they 
are  allowed  to  remain. 

They  increase  very  fast  in  a  hot,  dry  atmosphere. 

Moisture  is  sure  death  to  red  spider. 

The  simplest  and  cheapest  possible  remedy  is  clear 
water,  forcibly  applied  to  the  foliage,  more  particularly 
on  the  under  sides,  as  often  as  necessary. 

Syringe  the  plants  freely  in  the  morning  before  the 
eun  shines  upon  them,  and  in  the  evening  after  the  sun 
has  gone  off  them. 


HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 


Red  Spider  on  Fuchsias — Various  Remedies. 

Fill  a  barrel  nearly  full  of  water,  slake  in  it  about  a 
quarter  of  a  peck  of  liuie,  and  let  it  stand  until  perfectly 
clear.  Hold  the  plants  in  the  water  (bottom  up)  for 
about  five  or  ten  minutes,  then  wash  them  with  pure 
water. 

Take  two  ounces  of  soft  soap  to  one  gallon  of  water 
heated  to  about  140  degrees;  dip  the  plants  infested 
into  it  for  half  a  minute ;  let  them  stand  until  dry,  then 
4ip  a?ain  in  the  mixture  at  a  temperature  of  about  120 
iegrees  for  a  minute. 

A  little  flour  of  sulphur  dusted  over  and  under  the 
leaves  is  also  efficacious. 

The  red  spider  delights  in  the  heat,  and  the  dryer  it 
is  the  more  it  flourishes,  and  consequently  the  more 
the  plants  suffer ;  and  their  appearance  is  attributable 
to  having  been  kept  in  a  place  too  dry  and  warm. 

Separate  those  that  are  infected  from  those  not  touch- 
ed ;  do  so  at  once  you  discover  them.  They  will  al- 
ways be  found  on  the  under  side  of  the  leaves. 

The  plants  should  be  taken  from  the  window  to 
a  place  where  water  can  be  used  freely.  Lay  each 
on  its  side  in  the  sink,  and  pour  water  over  and 
over  upon  it,  and  keep  doing  so  as  long  as  any  red 
(spiders  can  be  seen.  Doing  this  once  or  twice  a 
week  thereafter  will  be  a  good  preventive  of  their 
return. 


SOW  TO  DESTROf  IXSSCT&.  7 

Carbolic  Soap-suds. 

Some  cultivators  have  succeeded  in  ridding  their 
window-plants  entirely,  without  removal,  by  frequently 
syringing  the  afflicted  plants  with  carbolic  soap-suds. 

Hot  and  Cold  Water— Turkish  Bath. 

"  I  did  succeed  with  the  Turkish  bath  (as  I  called  it) 
in  exterminating  the  pest  and  saving  my  plant ;  but  I 
have  come  to  this  conclusion,  that  it  is  only  with  Gen. 
Jackson's  "  eternal  vigilance  "  that  any  louse,  mealy 
bug,  aphis,  spider,  scale,  or  slug  can  be  persuaded  to 
leave  after  it  once  gains  a  strong  foothold.  The  bath 
was  administered  in  this  way  :  When  the  thermometer 
was  several  degrees  below  freezing,  I  took  the  plant  (a 
large  scarlet  salvia)  to  the  doorstep,  laid  the  pot  on  its 
side  carefully,  so  the  soil  would  not  fall  out,  then  took 
my  sprinkler,  full  of  water,  so  hot  I  could  not  bear  my 
hand  in  it,  sprinkled  it  all  over  the  plant ;  then  used 
cold  water  to  sprinkle  it ;  then  set  it  in  a  dark  cellar 
twenty-four  hours.  This  I  repeated  every  few  days, 
and  the  object  was  gained.  VIOLET." 


THEIPS. 

THIS  is  a  very  dangerous  insect,  and  not  easily  dis- 
cerned. ^  Is  of  a  blackish  color,  with  rings  of  a  dirty 
white  color.  They  are  found  upon  the  under  side  of 
the  leaves,  from  which  they  extract  their  juice.  The 


8  SOW  TO   DESTR  0  T  INSECTS. 

female,  after  laying  her  egg,  dies,  and  becomes  covered 
with  a  white  woolly  substance  as  a  protection  to  her 
eggs. 

Tobacco-smoke,  if  dense  enough,  will  destroy  thrips, 
but  they  take  more  of  it  than  the  common  green  fly. 

With  only  a  few  plants  the  trouble  is  to  administer  it 
thick  and  long  enough.  In  the  greenhouse  there  is  no 
trouble,  as  the  house  is  filled  and  the  smoke  left  until  it 
finally  disappears. 

It  probably  will  be  more  convenient  to  give  them  a 
sprinkling  or  syringing  with  tobacco-water,  made  by 
putting  a  few  stems  or  other  tobacco  into  scalding  hot 
water  (enough  of  the  former  to  make  the  liquid  a  light 
brown),  then  add  soap  enough  to  make  a  strong  suds. 
This  will,  if  administered  as  directed,  finish  the  pests 
in  quick  order. 


THE  APHIS,  OR  GREEN  FLY, 

Is  larger  and  more  easily  seen  than  the  red  spider. 
A  good,  simple  remedy,  sufficient  for  purposes  of  most 
window-gardeners,  is  as  follows  : 

Take  some  tobacco,  put  it  in  some  water,  and  let  it 
eoak  until  it  looks  like  strong  tea.  The  proportions 
may  be  about  one-fourth  of  a  pound  of  tobacco  to  three 
or  four  quarts  of  water.  This  may  be  applied  with  a 
syringe.  A  brush  or  a  sponge  may  be  dipped  into  the 
tobacco-water  and  used  to  brush  them  off.  Small 
plants  can  be  plunged  into  it,  the  top  downward. 


HOW    TO   DESTROY  INSECTS.  9 

Doctor  the  sick  plant  with  sunshine,  charcoal,  and 
good  drainage. 

The  aphis  usually  attacks  those  plants  in  some  way 
diseased,  and  when  this  is  the  case  the  plants  must  be 
restored  to  perfect  health  again. 

To  Destroy  the   Aphia  without  Tobacco. 

If  the  infested  plant  is  small  and  short,  take  three  or 
four  laurel  leaves,  beat  them  all  over  with  a  hammer  so 
as  to  thoroughly  bruise  them,  then  place  them  round 
or  under  the  plant,  and  cover ;  a  bell-glass  does  best. 

Let  all  remain  closed  for  a  few  hours,  and  the  aph- 
ides will  be  found  dead,  each  hanging  by  its  proboscis 
only. 

If  this  process  is  repeated  within  a  day  or  two  to 
make  sure,  the  plant  will  be  perfectly  freed,  and  in 
some  cases  is  not  again  attacked. 

This  way  of  killing  aphides  is  particularly  acceptable 
to  those  who  do  not  like  tobacco-smoke;  all  danger 
arising  from  an  overdose  of  it  to  a  very  tender  plant  is 
avoided,  and  the  laurel  is  so  generally  grown  it  must 
be  almost  everywhere  near  at  hand. 

Tobacco  Powder 

is    an  excellent  preparation,  and  is  applied  by  means 
of  a  puff  when  the  foliage  is  damp.     It  may  also  be  p; 
plied  by  a  common  tin  box  with  a  perforated  ltd. 

The  plants  infested  with  the  green  fly  should  be  dust- 


10  BOW  TO  DESTROT  INSEVT8. 

ed  with  the  powder  hi  such  a  manner  that  every  fly  rd 
ceives  its  share.  Tlu  powder  must  be  washed  off  again 
with  the  syringe  in  a^out  twenty-four  hours  after  ita 
application,  to  prevent  its  injuring  the  foliage. 

Quassia  Tea. 

A  good  insect  remedy  may   be  made  by  steeping 
about  two  ounces  of  quassia  chips  in  a  gallon  of  hot 
water.     This   is   very    destructive    to  green  fly  if  th 
plants  are  immersed  in  it. 

Geihurt's  Compound,  an  insecticide,  is  also  very  use- 
ful. 

A  K*u>  Way   of  Overcoming   the  Green  my  in   riant- 

cases. 

"  Mvxch  the  easiest  and  completes!;  way  of  keeping 
these  sap-stealing  and  destructive  vermin  in  check  in 
crowded  plant-cases  is  to  use  the  fumes  of  tobacco. 
These  will  penetrate  every  crevice  and  reaf  >  every 
hidden  aphis  without  the  handling  ol  a  pot  or  a  plant, 

requiring  only  the  use  of  a  good  syringe  to  shower  anu 

fVash  the  foliage  after  the  fumigation. 

"  But  in  a  small  case  it  is  quite  difficult  to  get  up 
smoke  of  sufficient  density  to  be  effective,  without 
evolving  a  damaging  amount  of  heat  from  the  coals 
which  it  is  necessary  to  use — as  a  few  coals  will  not 
sustain  fire  enough  without  flame,  which  is  ueadly  xo 
the  plants.  And  smoke  from  a  fumigating  bellow*  is 
no*  sure  to  reach  every  insect,  but  is  surf  to  anno"  Jjie 


HOW  TO   DESTROY  INSECTS,  11 

operator  and  pervade  the  room  with  the  unpleasant 
odors  of  the  burning  weed.  After  two  or  three  victor- 
ies, bad  as  defeats,  in  campaigning  against  these  ma- 
rauders in  the  recesses  of  a  plant-case,  I  caught  a  hap- 
py suggestion  about '  touch '  which  opened  the  way  to 
full  success  by  so  simple  and  so  beautiful  an  operation 
that  I  now  almost  sigh  for  more  aphides  to  conquer. 

"  I  made  some  touch-paper  by  soaking  soft,  felt-like 
wrapping-paper,  or  the  thinner  sort  of  blotting-paper, 
in  a  solution  of  saltpetre,  and  then  allowing  it  to  dry. 
Taking  a  strip  of  this,  three  or  four  inches  wide  and 
twice  as  long,  strewing  shreds  of  tobacco  all  over  it, 
and  rolling  it  up  from  one  end  into  the  shape  of  a  giant 
cigar-stump  or  a  tiny  roily-poly,  I  had  a  quasi-cartridge, 
one  of  which  proves  sufficient  to  destroy  every  aphis  in 
a  6  by  3  feet  window-case.  A  bit  of  wire  serves  to 
hold  it  together  and  to  hang  it  by.  and  there  is  nothing 
more  to  do  but  to  touch  it  with  a  light  and  to  close  the 
window,  laying  wet  strips  of  paper  on  the  joint,  if  nec- 
essary, to  keep  all  smoke  out  of  the  room.  The  fumes 
pour  incessantly  and  copiously  from  the  ends  of  the 
cylinder,  rise  to  the  glass,  and  then  fall  cool  among  the 
foliage — sure  asphyxiation  to  every  one  of  the  robbers. 

"  This  is  a  peculiarly  eligible  method  for  a  small  case ; 
but  in  a  large  plant-house  hot  coals  can  be  used  in  suf- 
ficient quantity  to  maintain  dense  fumes  for  half  an 
hour,  if  desired,  without  risk  of  burning  the  plants.  < 

"  W," 


12  HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

Persian  Insect  Powder. 

A  small  quantity  of  this  added  to  a  solution  of  whale- 
oil  soap  and  hellebore  will  destroy  the  green  fly,  and 
applied  with  a  syringe  will  keep  all  rose-bushes  free 
from  insects. 

Another  Method. 

Take  two  ounces  of  Persian  Insecticide,  dissolved  in 
one-fourth  of  a  pint  of  spirits  and  diluted  in  ten  gal- 
lons of  water.  Two  or  three  applications  at  intervals  of 
every  two  or  three  days  will  destroy  all  insects. 

Carbolic  Soap  for  Green  Fly. 

An  experiment  with  this  in  killing  insects  on  hcuse- 
plants  was  made  by  an  editor  of  a  horticultural  jour- 
nal, with  notes  and  results  as  follows : 

"  The  yrcen  fly  is,  as  everybody  knows,  a  great  pest, 
and  one  not  readily  destroyed,  except  by  fumigating 
with  tonacco,  not  always  very  agreeable. 

"  My  first  experiment  with  the  carbolic  soap  was  a 
decided  success,  operating  upon  two  hundred  roses  just 
in  blooii'  and  it  was  conducted  as  follows  :  Into  a  pail 
of  warm  water  1  put  a  inmp  of  soap  the  size  of  a  small 
hen's  egg.  The  soap  was  cut  r  :nto  small  pieces,  and 
the  water  agitated  until  it  was  aii  dissolved,  forming  a 
warm  suds. 

"  The  water  should  not  be  tuo  hot,  but  if  not  above 
^20°  or  thereabouts  it  will  do  no  ham).  Into  this  suds 


HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS.  13 

each  rose-bush  was  plunged  (holding  the  pot  inverted 
in  the  hand),  and  kept  there  about  a  half-minute. 
After  plunging,  the  plants  were  set  aside  for  a  few 
minutes,  then  dipped  in  the  same  way  into  clean  water, 
shaking  them  about  thoroughly,  washing  the  leaves,  and 
then  returned  to  their  former  place  in  the  house. 

"  Whether  it  was  the  soap  or  the  warm  water  that 
killed  the  green  fly  I  will  not  say,  but  there  is  one 
thing  certain — they  are  all  dead." 

Hot  Water 

will  destroy  aphis  instantly,  without  injury  to  the 
plant,  if  not  too  hot. 

The  maximum  temperature  may  be  as  high  as  156° 
Fahrenheit  without  any  tear  whatever,  excepting  upon 
very  tender  plants. 

As  a  general  rule,  moisture  is  death  to  insects  which 
infest  conservatory  and  window  plants. 

While  using  hot  water  invert  the  pot,  and  hold  the 
earth  from  falling  out  with  both  hands  under  it,  anci 
dip  the  whole  of  the  top  of  the  plant  into  water  heated 
as  high  as  150°. 

lobacco-smotoe 

is  a  certain  cure.  Put  in  a  common  flower-pot  sau- 
cer a  few  shavings ;  on  these,  after  you  have  set  fire  to 
them,  a  small  handful  of  tobacco-stems  or  leaves  pr«- 
viously  dampened ;  place  it  close  to  the  plant,  in  a 


14  HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

room  not  in  use  ;  cover  the  plant  and  saucer  of  tobacco 
with  a  cone  made  of  newspaper,  and  smoke  for  fifteen 
or  twenty  minutes  or  less — it  depends  on  the  insects 
and  the  size  of  the  plant.  If  any  of  the  aphis  are  found 
lying  on  the  earth  of  the  pot,  they  should  be  removed 
and  destroyed,  or  they  will  recover  and  return  to  their 
former  haunts. 

Fumigating. 

The  following  device,  BO  far  as  the  production  of 
smoke  is  concerned,  is  very  satisfactory. 

A  common  tin  box,  such  as  dry  mustard  is  sold  in,  is 
taken  to  the  tinman,  who  cuts  a  hole  about  half  an 
inch  across  in  the  bottom,  and  solders  on  a  tapering 
tnbe  something  like  the  nozzle  of  an  oil-can.  In  the 
cover  of  the  box  he  cuts  another  hole,  and  solders  on  a 
tube  flaring  slightly  outward,  of  a  size  to  fit  over  the 
nozzle  of  a  pair  of  bellows. 

TLe  whole  machine  looks  like  one  of  the  affairs  which 
dealors  in  magic  cockroach-powders  sell  for  the  purpose 
01  mowing  the  powder  into  cracks  and  crannies.  The 
box  is  filled  with  tobacco,  and  a  live  coal  inserted  just 
under  the  cover.  The  tube  is  then  placed  on  the  bel- 
lows and  the  latter  put  in  operation.  The  result  will 
be  a  smoke  such  as  no  respectable  insect  will  endure 
for  a  moment.  , 

Frame  of  Glazed  Cloth.— It  is  quite  practicable  to 
emoke  plants,  both  in  doors  and  out,  by  using  a  light 


SOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS.  15 

frame  covered  with  glazed  cloth  or  other  reasonable 
smoke-proof  material.  This  is  made  large  enough  to 
put  bodily  over  the  bush.  The  nozzle  of  the  smoke- 
bellows  may  then  be  introduced  through  a  suitable 
aperture,  and  in  a  few  minutes,  or  seconds,  the  smoke 
inside  will  be  almost  thick  enough  to  cut  with  a  knife. 

Cloth  Eoll. — "  My  way  of  fumigating  plants  with 
tobacco  is  to  take  a  long,  narrow  strip  of  cloth  and 
spread  it  out ;  sprinkle  tobacco  the  whole  length,  then 
roll  tightly,  place  on  a  stove-cover  or  an  old  plate  under 
the  flower-stand,  light  the  roll,  and  close  all  doors.  It 
generally  proves  effectual.  M.  C.  A." 

Tobacco  in  Small  Dish. — "  Put  coarse  stems,  smok- 
mg-tobacoo,  or  cigar-ends  on  coals  in  a  small  dish,  and 
hold  it  under  the  plants,  over  which  a.  newspaper  should 
be  thrown  tc  confine  the  smoke  among  them  until  the 
lice  are  stupefied ;  then  shake  the  plants  thoroughly, 
and  sweep  away  all  the  insects  which  fall  from  them. 
After  that  sprinkle  them  thoroughly,  taking  care  to 
wet  the  leaves  below  as  well  as  above." 

Another  Wait  of  Fumigating. — A  gardener  in  the 
Hull  Botanical  Garden  of  London  adopts  this  method 
to  clean  green  flies  that  infest  his  house-plants : 

"  Lay  the  plant  on  its  side  in  a  wash-tub,  throw  over 
it  a  damp  towel,  or,  better,  a  bit  of  glazed  calico  lining* 
and  then,  through  an  opening  at  the  bottom,  have  your 
husband  insert  the  end  of  a  pipe,  and  through  it  IML 
him  blow  tobacco-smoke  until  the  plant  gets  a  goof 


16  MOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

fumigation.  The  flies  will  be  found  at  the  bottom  of 
the  tub  when  the  operation  is  finished. 

"  The  pHnts  should  be  perfectly  dry  when  the  opera- 
tion is  pert.'*i  (fled,  "but,  if  a  towel  is  used,  it  should  be 
freshly  washed  and  wrung  out  before  using,  and  be 
without  holes.  The  p^pe-stem  should  reach  to  the  bot- 
tom of  the  tub. 

"  Be  careful  when  a  number  of  plants  are  in  flower 
in  a  greenhouse  or  conservatory;  tobacco-smoke  will 
spoil  the  flowers." 

Other  Ways  of  Fumigation. — Place  the  plants  under 
a  barrel,  together  with  a  dish  of  burning  tobacco-stems 
and  leaves,  and  the  smoking  will  be  effectual,  closing 
the  career  of  aphis,  mealy  lug,  green  fly,  and  brown 
scale. 

The  smoke  will  be  strong  enough  to  suffocate  human 
beings;  and  the  plants  even,  on  being  confined  in  it  for 
an  hour,  will  look  pitiful  enough,  but  washing  with 
clean  water  will  enliven  them  quickly. 

Submerging. — Another  cultivator  prepares  a  quantity 
of  warm  suds  in  a  large,  deep  vessel,  a  bathing-tub  or 
something  similar,  then  covers  the  surface  of  the  soil  in 
the  pot  with  a  circular  piece  of  pasteboard  fastened  on 
with  a  stout  cloth  bandage  to  prevent  dislodgment  of 
the  soil  by  the  water,  and  lays  the  pot  lengthwise 
therein.  Every  part  of  the  plant  must  be  completely 
submerged  and  remain  thus  half  an  hour.  Except  in 
the  worst  cases  this  effects  a  cure. 


HOW  TO   DESTROY  INSECTS.  '     17 


THE  MEALY  BUG. 

THE  mealy  bug  is  a  very  annoying  iusect ;  it  ap- 
pears like  a  white  mealy  spot,  iut  more  tlua  one-third 
as  large  as  a  lady-bug,  and  ir'Jests  the  wotchets  of 
smooth-barked  plants,  and  also  gets  into  -,he  cracks  of 
*ae  bark  of  rough- barked  plants;  here  it  hatches  its 
nesta  of  young  ones.  The  best  way  to  destroy  it  is  to 
brush  the  stems  with  an  old  tooth-brush  dipped  into 
'•he  strongest  soap-suds  you  can  make,  with  a  little 
soot  added  to  the  water,  and  then  give  the  plants  a 
good  sprinkling ;  it  can  be  scraped  off  with  the  finger- 
nails, but  the  process  is  not  an  agreeable  one. 

S.  0.  J. 

Let  it  once  get  a  foothold,  and  it  is  very  difficult  to 
get  rid  of  it. 

They  can  also  be  kept  down  by  frequent  syringing 
with  warm,  greasy  water,  to  which  a  little  sulphur 
should  be  added ;  but  if  full-grown,  they  should  be 
picked  off  by  the  hand  or  a  small,  sharp-pointed  stick. 

Alcohol  is  sure  death  to  the  mealy  bug.  It  can  be 
removed  from  thousands  of  the  most  delicate  plants, 
without  a  particle  of  injury,  by  simply  applying  fre- 
quently, for  a  few  weeks,  alcohol  diluted  with  fi-jo  per 
tent,  of  water. 

The  most  convenient  way  to  use  it  is  by  a  fine  brujh 
put  through  the  cork  of  a  wide-mouthed  bottle. 

Kerosene  may  sometimes  be  used,  as  appears  by  the 


i8    '  HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECT&, 

testimony  of  an  Illinois  window -gardener :  "  For  more 
than  a  year  1  have  used  kerosene  to  destroy  mealy  bug 
and  scale  louse,  and  have  found  it  a  most  convenient 
and  effectual  remedy.  I  apply  it  to  the  backs  of  the 
insects  with  a  feather  and  brush  lightly  around  the 
axils  of  the  leaves  infected,  und  I  have  not  found  any 
injurious  effects  of  its  use  upon  the  most  tender 
plants." 

Powdered  white  Jtellebore  and  whale-oil  soap,  dis- 
solved and  sprinkled  through  any  sprinkler,  will  do  the 
work  effectually. 


THE  SCALE. 

THE  scale  or  shield  louse  is  a  very  troublesome  peet. 
While  young  they  move  about  freely,  but  as  they  get 
older  they  fix  themselves  permanently  upon  the  under- 
side of  the  leaves  or  stems,  and  by  a  secretion  from  the 
body  a  scale  is  produced,  under  the  cover  of  which  the 
insect  lives,  lays  its  eggs,  and  multiplies.  These  scales 
are  found  more  particularly  upon  oleanders,  azaleas, 
camellias,  pine-apples,  roses,  cactus,  .palms. 

The  most  effectual  remedy  is  to  wash  and  sprinkle 
the  plant  with  a  solution  of  Persian  Insecticide  or  Gir- 
kurt  Compound. 

Hub  the  infected  parts  with  the  hand,  or  pick  or 
scrape  them  off.  Dip  twice  as  many  times  as  for  the 


HOW  TO   DESTROY  INSECTS.  19 

Aid  spider,  in  solutions  specially  intended   for  that  in« 
ject,  particularly  that  of  soft  soap. 

Wkiie  hellebore  and  soap  will  clear  this  pest.  One 
application,  if  thorough,  will  be  sufficient,  although  a 
second  application  twc  or  three  weeks  after  may  be 
necessary  to  dispose  of  a  new  generation. 


SLUGS  ON  BEGONIAS. 

SLUGS  are  occasionally  seen  eating  large  holes  or 
aotches  in  the  leaves  of  all  succulents  and  begonias, 
iaaking  them  unsalable  and  unsightly.  They  usually 
feed  during  the  night. 

The  best  mode  of  ridding  the  house  of  these  is  to  cut 
potatoes,  turnips,  or  some  other  fleshy  vegetable  in 
halves,  when  they  will  gather  upon  them  and  are  easily 
destroyed. 


BLACK  ANTS  ON  PEONIES. 
SPRINKLE  guano  on  them  or  around  their  haunts. 

WOOD-LICE. 

WASH  olf  with  strong  scap-suds.  or  use  a  tooth-brust 
fith  bristles  cut  short,  >r  dip  a  iine  brush  in  kerosene  or 
alcohol  and  touch  them. 


20  HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

WHITE  WORMS. 

THESE  white  worms,  which  inlVst  occasionally  all 
soils  where  plants  are  kept  in  pots,  may  be  removed  as 
follows : 

Lime-water  may  be  sprinkled  over  the  soil,  or  a  lit- 
tle slaked  lime  may  be  sprinkled  also  on  the  earth 
and  in  the  saucer  of  the  pot. 

Lime-water  may  easily  be  made  by  slaking  a  large 
piece  of  lime  in  a  pail  of  cold  water,  letting  it  settle, 
and  then  bottling  for  use.  Give  each  pot  a  tablespoon- 
ful  twice  a  week. 


EARTH-WORMS    IN    THE    SOU.  OP  POTS 
OR  LAWN. 

a.  TAKE  corrosive  sublimate,  one  ounce;   common 
salt,  one  tablespoonful ;  boiling  water,  one  pint.     Stir 
till  dissolved.     Pour  the  mixture  into  nine  gallons  of 
rain-water,  and  water  the  lawn  or  the  soil  in  flower- 
pots wherever  the  worms  are  to  be  found. 

lAme-ivater  for  Worms. 

b.  A  cultivator  says :  "  I  have  always  had  good  sue 
ress  by  using  lime-water  in  the  proportion  of  one  pound 
of  lime  to  four  gallons  of  water.     Let  it  stand  over 
night  till  perfectly  clear ;   wet  the  eartli  but  not  the 
plant.     I  have  never  needed  to  sse  it  more  than  *,\vice, 
and  seldom  but  once." 


HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS.  21 

For  small  quantities,  dissolve  a  lump  of  unslacked 
lime,  as  large  as  an  English  walnut,  to  a  quart  of  water. 

o.  Another  preparation,  very  good,  is  one  ounce  of 
pulverized  carbonate  of  ammonia  to  one  gallon  of 
water. 

d.  Small  bits  of  camphor,  dug  in  the  earth  among  the 
roots  of  pot-plants,  will  effectually  destroy  earth-worms. 
Has  proved  a  complete  success  in  many  trials. 

e.  Take  a  turnip,  cut  in  pieces,  and  place  on  the  earth 
at  night;  in  the  morning  the  worms  will  be  at  break- 
fast on  the  turnip.     Remove  and  kill. 

/.  Baking  the  earth  in  an  oven  will  kill  all  animal  or 
insect  life  if  other  remedies  prove  unsuccessful.  This 
never  fails,  while  with  liquid  remedies  some  will  be 
successful,  others  unfortunate. 

One  cultivator  observed  that  in  baking  the  earth  it 
burnt  a  little,  and  she  noticed  that  her  plants  never 
did  better ;  the  petunias  and  pelargoniums  that  had 
been  repotted  in  it  were  splendid  in  growth  and  per- 
fectly gorgeous  in  color. 

g.  Repot  plants  in  fresh  soil,  if  you  do  not  wish  to  take 
the  trouble  of  other  methods  of  destroying  the  worms. 

h.  An  English  lady  flower-lover  found  that  the  water 
the  family  potatoes  were  boiled  in  was  a  sure  cure  for 
worms;  put  it  cold  or  warm  on  the  earth.  It  is  a  very 
simple  remedy,  and  others  have  tried  it  with  success. 

*'.  Sprinkle  wood-ashes  over  the  tops  of  the  crocks, 
and  also  over  the  surface  of  the  earth. 


88  HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSKCTS. 

j.  Put  your  plants  into  saucers  filled  with  boiling  hot 
water  j  the  heat  will  cause  the  tiny  rnites  to  ascend  to 
the  surface ;  then  pour  warm  water  upon  the  soil,  wash- 
ing off  every  worm  you  can  see  by  holding  the  pot  so 
as  to  let  them  run  off.  Now  scatter  red  pepper  thickly 
aver  the  surface,  and  the  worms  will  not  trouble  you 
much. 

Worms  in,  Pots. 

a.  A  lady  cultivator  has  destroyed  these  by  weaken- 
ing ammonia  with  water  and  pouring  around  the  roots  of 
the  plants.  Put  one  ounce  of  ammonia  into  one  gallon 
of  warm  water,  and  water  the  plants  with  it  once  a 
week ;  they  will  be  free  from  the  worms  and  be  beautiful 
add  green. 

6.  A  successful  way  is  to  remove  the  plant,  wash  ita 
Toots  in  warm  water ;  let  it  remain  in  water  till  the  pot 
is  refilled  with  earth  well  heated,  so  as  to  kill  all  the 
worms  or  eggs  that  may  be  laid  within  the  soil.  Wash 
the  pot  in  water  warm  enough  to  kill  all  that  may  ad- 
here to  it. 

«?.  Take  fine-cut  tobacco,  sp  ^ad  a  thin  layer  on  toj. 
cf  the  earth  around  the  plant  when  the  earth  is  dry. 
then  water  freely  j  repeat  if  needed  and  first  applicatioj 
i«  not  thorough. 

d.  Pov.r  a  solution  of  tannic  acid  around  the  plant 
md  the  worms  will  be  brought  to  the  surface,  when  th*v 
*»»» be  easily  destrovfld. 


HOW  TO  DESTROY  M  SECTS.  2> 

Worms  in  Flower-pots. 

A  cultivator,  who  had  tried  salt  and  lime-water  on 
pot-plaiits  and  soil  to  rid  them  of  the  worms,  at  last 
tried  another  method. 

Hot  water  was  turned  into  the  saucers  of  the  pots, 
and  warm  wood-ashes  spread  ovei  the  surface  of  the 
earth  and  dug  in  with  a  hair-pin.  The  insects  were 
driven  away,  and  the  potash  was  good  for  the  plants. 

Wire-  Worms. 

Rape-cake  placed  about  an  inch  underground  will 
attract  them,  and,  burying  themselves  in  it,  .hey  are 
easily  taken  out.  This  is  more  effectual  to  attract  them 
than  potato. 

Wire-  Worms  in,  Pots. 

To  kill  wire-worms  in  pots  use  salt,  sprinkled  over 
the  soil,  or  a  diluted  solution,  not  strong. 

The  most  effectual  way,  however,  is  to  turn  the 
plants  out  of  the  pots  and  search  for  the  worms. 


GRUBS  IN  POTS. 

The  best  way  of  dealing  with  soil  infected  with  grub, 
is  to  expose  it  to  a  fierce  heat  before  using  it.  For 
example,  it  may  be  put  in  the  oven  for  a  few  hours. 

Most  preparations  of  a  liquid  nature,  if  strong  enough 


84  HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

to  kill  the  worms,  are  also  strong  enough  to  do  damage 
to  the  roots  of  tender  plants. 

An  always  safe  way  is  to  turn  the  plants  out  of  the 
pots  and  search  for  the  worms,  and  replace  the  ball  in 
the  pot  again. 


OLEANDER  BUGS. 

To  destroy  the  little  bugs  that  come  on  the  oleander 
take  a  piece  of  lime  the  size  of  a  hen's  egg  and  dissolve 
it  in  about  two  quarts  of  water,  and  wash  the  stock  aud 
branches  of  the  tree. 


PLANT-LICE. 

Take  three  and  a  half  ounces  quassia  chips  ;  add  fiv« 
drachms  Stavesacre  seeds,  in  powder ;  place  in  seven 
pints  of  water,  and  boil  down  to  five  pints.  When 
cooled  the  strained  liquid  is  ready  for  use,  either  in  a 
watering-pot  or  syringe. 

To  Kill  Green  Lice  on  Flowers, 

Take  wood-soot  or  coal-ashes;  where  the  soot  has 
burnt  in  the  chimney,  sprinkle  on  before  a  rain,  make  o, 
tea  of  it,  and  water  them. 

This  was  tried  for  three  years  in  a  window  garden 
of  tvv  ?  hundred  plants,  and  with  great  success. 


HOW  TO   DESTROY  jWSECTS.  2£ 

PLIES. 

Flies  do  not  in  general  injure  house-plants,  but  any 
fly,  friendly  or  deadly,  may  be  removed  by  liberally 
sprinkling  weakened  ammonia-water. 


SNAILS. 

Snails  are  sometimes  met  with.  A  little  air-slacked 
lime  thrown  on  t^,  places  they  infest  is  the  best  pre- 
ventive against  their  ravages. 

Snails  and  Ants  in  Ferneries. 

Cut  potatoes  or  yellow  turnips  in  halves,  scoop  out 
the  pieces,  and  lay  them  in  the  fernery  The  slugs  and 
«nails  will  go  to  them,  and  are  easily  caught. 

Sorinkle  a  little  fine  sugar  through  a  dry,  coarse 
sponge  ;  the  ants  will  go  into  the  sponge,  and  are  easily 
destroyed  by  putting  the  sponge  in  hot  water. 


SCALE  ON  IVY. 

Scrape  off  the  scale  with  a  fine  knife,  being  careful 
not  to  wound  the  bark  of  the  plant.  This  is  the  tmly 
efficacious  thing,  as  even  a  faithful  washing  with  a  stiff 
brush  and  water  will  not  answer. 


36  HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

INSECT  ENEMIES  OP  THE  HOSE. 

Rose-slugs, 

The  body  of  the  slug  is  about  one  quarter  of  an  naet\ 
long,  green  and  soft  like  jelly.   Slugs  eat  the  upper  sm 
face  of  the  leaf,  leaving  the  veins  and  skin  underneati 
untouched. 

They  are  most  troublesome  in  June,  and  frequer>tl 
reappear  in  August. 

They  increase  very  rapidly,  and  will  destroy  the 
foliage  of  the  largest  bushes  in  a  few  hours. 

The  following  are  remedies  used  by  various  florists  ? 

a.  Take  white  hellebore  powder,  mix  with  water,  and 
sprinkle  over  them. 

b.  Dust  the  plants  thoroughly  with  powdered  lime, 
plaster-of-paris,  or  ashes. 

c.  Even  road  dust  may  'be  used  instead  of  lime,  and 
be  as  efficacious  ;  repeat  vigorously  as  often  as  may  be 
required. 

d.  Sprinkle  the  plants  thoroughly  with  a  strong  suds 
made  of  soft  soap. 

e.  Whale-oil  soap,  whenever  it  can  be  obtained,  / 
the  best  of  special  insecticides.    It  is  a  powerful  enemy 
of  all  insect  life,  and  is  now  for  sale  rji  all  agricultural 
stores.    Use  one  pound  dissolved  in  eight  gallons  of 
water,  or  a  quarter  of  a  pound  t j  two  pails  of  water; 
applied  by  means  of  a  syringe   every  evening  for  a 
week,  it  effectually  destroys  all  trac«  of  the  nuisance. 


HOW  TO  DESTR 0 Y  INSECTS.  2? 

/.  Another  useful  article  for  the  destruction  of  rose- 
,  arid  other  insect  enemies  of  the  rose  or  other 
garden  plants,  is  found  in  the  Persian  Powder,  sold  by 
most  florists. 

The  powder  should  be  applied  three  times  to  the  rose- 
oushes  before  the  buds  appear,  for  after  the  buds  have 
grown  the  powder  mars  the  bud  and  the  leaves. 

g.  Sprinkle  sulphur  on  the  rose-bushes  early,  when 
the  dew  is  on. 

h.  Paris  green.  A  correspondent  of  the  Floral 
Cabinet  used  this  remedy  for  two  years  with  the  best 
success.  "  A  small  tablespoouful  was  mixed  in  a  pail- 
ful of  water,  and  applied  with  a  garden  water-pot.  If 
used  when  the  slugs  first  make  their  appearance,  they 
can  be  wholly  exterminated  before  flowers  or  foliage 
are  at  all  injured.  Last  year  we  applied  it  to  some 
very  choice  roses,  and  in  twenty-four  hours  after  not  a 
dug  could  be  found." 

t.  Take  one  ounce  of  carbonate  of  ammonia,  dissolv- 
ed in  a  pailful  of  water,  and  then  sprinkle  the  plants. 

Hose-bugs. 

A  very  determined  and  obstinate  enemy.  It  comes 
svithout  premonition,  fliej  directly  into  the  fresh-open- 
ing bud,  and  burrows  a  home  in  the  middle  of  the  blos- 
soms of  your  most  beautiful  and  carefully  cherished 
Soral  treasure,  and  is  as  voracious  as  A  .vbacco-worra. 


38  &OW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

None  cf  the  usual  insect  enemies  conquer  him,  so  'the 
war  must  be  waged  by  hand. 

Hand-picking  is  the  only  efficacious  remedy.  This 
IA  slow  but  sure.  Begin  early  in  the  morning ;  pick  or 
brush  them  into  a  vessel  containing  boiling  water,  after 
which  gather  them  together  and  burn  them. 

Jur-slacked  lime  scattered  over  the  bushes  wnile 
wei  with  dew  in  the  early  morning  is  usually  a  suffi- 
cient protection  from  them. 

Red  Spider. 

This  appears  more  oiten  on  window  plants  than 
those  out  of  doors.  It  is  difficult  to  see  when  it  first 
appears,  unless  it  is  in  considerable  numbers,  and  may 
be  detected  by  the  browned  or  deadened  appearance 
of  the  leaves. 

M MS  tare  is  sure  death  to  it. 

Sprinkle  or  wash  with  water  frequently.  If  thj 
plants  are  badly  attacked,  sponge  the  under  side  of  the 
leaves  daily. 

Green  Fly. 

If  the  aphis  or  green  fly  attack  roses,  an  application 
of  tobacco-water  will  usually  make  an  end  of  them,  or 
finely-powdered  tobacco  may  be  sprinkled  on  them  from 
an  old  pepper-box. 

The  green  fly  attacks  the  young  shoots,  and  will  first 
be  found  at  tha  extremities  of  the  branches.  It  feeds 


TO  DESTROY  INSECTS.  29 

3b  the  juicea  of  the  plant,  arid  will  soon  sicken  and 
starve  a  whole  bush. 

The  usual  application  of  tobacco-smoke  for  half  an 
hour  under  a  barrel  will  always  kill  them  completely. 

Mildew  on  Roses. 

This  is  manifested  by  a  whitish-looking  mould  01 
dust  on  the  plants. 

If  plants  are  growing  out  of  doors,  stir  the  soil  fre- 
quently. If  plants  are  growing  in  doors,  sprinkle  a 
fine  dusting  of  flour  of  sulphur  over  the  whole  plant. 
In  general  sulphur  will  prove  a  good  antidote  to  mildew 
on  any  plant. 

The  Yellows. 

If  the  leaves  of  your  rose-bush  turn  yellow  from 
any  cause,  and  it  looks  unhealthy,  take  up  in  the 
morning,  put  in  milk-warm  water,  and  carefully  wash 
the  roots  j  this  will  be  found  very  beneficial ;  it  should 
remain  in  water,  sufficient  to  cover  the  roots,  until 
evening,  and,  after  mellowing  the  soil,  again  set  it  out , 
shield  from  the  sun  a  few  days. 

A  weak  decoction  of  soot-water  is  excellent ;  but  ii 
must  be  applied  very  weak  and  not  too  frequently. 

JParis  Green. 

&  remedy  is  used  by  some  with  great  care,  as  follows, 
for  all  insect  enemies  of  all  plaits  : 

Mix  paris  green  and  water  in  the  proportion  of  nov 


30  HOW  TO  DESTROY  TN8EOTB. 

ounce  to  three  gallons  of  water.    Sprinkle  over  the 
plants  with  a  small  broom. 

It  is  sure  destruction  to  all  insects  that  eat  leaves, 
but  it  is  a  question  whether  it  is  not  so  dangerous  aa 
to  be  needful  of  great  care  to  handle  with  safety,  aa  it 
ia  poisonous  also  to  human  beings.  Keep  the  mixture 
?yell  stirred,  as  the  green  settles  rapidly. 

Scotch  Snuff. 

A  lady  who  generally  keeps  off  all  her  insects  by 
frequent  sprinkling  says  :  "  Where  any  do  dare  to  in- 
trude, they  get  Scotch  snuff  to  the  right  of  them,  Scotch 
snuff  to  the  left  of  them,  and  Scotch  snuff  all  around 
them,  till  the  air,  to  them,  is  thick  with  Scotch  snuff, 
and  they  probably  end  their  existence  by  sneezing  their 
little  heads  off.  This  I  allow  to  remain  a  day  or  two 
before  sprinkling  again." 

Jtose-grubg. 

It  there  are  any  grubs  in  stems  of  roses  run  a  fine 
wire  into  their  holes  and  kill  them. 

Hose-sluys. 

Add  a  teaspoonful  of  powdered  white  hellebore  to 
two  gallons  of  boiling  water.  Apply,  when  cold,  in  a 
fine  spray,  bending  the  tops  over  so  as  to  reach  the 
under  surface  of  the  leaves.  One  application  is  usually 
sufficient. 


HOW    TO  DESTROY  INSECTS.  31 

.  Rose-slugs — Wood-ashes, 

An  experienced  cultivator,  after  trying  picking  off 
the  slugs  by  hand  and  burning  them,  also  various 
remedies,  such  as  hellebore,  pans  green,  etc.,  with  in- 
different success,  at  last  found  nothing  that  ivould  so 
thoroughly  destroy  rose-slugs  as  wood-ashes. 

The  ashes  must  be  sifted  on  early  in  the  morning, 
while  the  leaves  are  damp,  the  branches  being  turned 
over  carefully,  so  that  the  under  sides  of  the  leaves,  to 
which  the  young  <jlug  clings,  may  get  their  share  of  the 
eiftings. 

If  the  night  has  been  dewless,  in  order  to  make  the 
work  thorough  first  sprinkle  the  bushes,  and  the  ashes 
will  then  cling  to  the  slugs,  to  their  utter  destruction. 
This  may  be  repeated  without  injury  to  the  roses,  ae 
often  as  the  pests  make  their  appearance. 


VARIOUS    HINTS    AND    REMEDIES   FOR 
DESTROYING  INSECTS. 

Kerosene,  or  Coal-oil,  as  a  "Rem&dy  for  Insects. 

A  LADY  cultivator  uses  one  tablespoonful  of  kerosene 
oil  mixed  with  one  pail  of  water,  and  syringes  the 
plants  occasionally,  being  careful  not  to  allow  much  of 
the  water  to  get  upon  the  soil  in  the  pot. 

Another  lady  cultivator  dips  a  little  bruth  in  ooal- 
oil,  touches  with  it  all  insects  that  can  be  reached,  an<" 


82  HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

finds  it  sure  death.    However,  if  the  oil  touches  the 
plants  it  will  destroy  them  also. 

Alum-water  for  Destroying  Souse  Xnsects^  etc. 

No  insect  which  usually  infests  the  house,  and  crawls 
over  the  floors  or  woodwork,  can  live  under  the  appli- 
cation of  Jiot  alum-water. 

It  will  destroy  red  and  "black  ants,  cockroaches, 
spiders,  chintz-bugs,  and  all  the  crawling  pests  that 
infest  the  house. 

Take  two  pounds  of  alum  and  dissolve  it  in  three 
or  four  quarts  of  boiling  water  j  let  it  stand  on  the  fire 
until  the  alum  is  all  melted,  then  apply  it  with  a 
brush,  while  nearly  boiling  hot,  to  every  joint  and 
crevice  in  your  closets,  bedsteads,  pantry  shelves,  and 
the  like. 

Brush  the  crevices  in  the  floor  of  the  skirting  or  mop- 
boards,  if  you  suspect  that  they  harbor  vermin.  If  in 
whitewashing  a  ceiling  plenty  of  alum  is  added  to  the 
lime,  it  will  also  serve  to  keep  insects  at  a  distance. 

Cockroaches  will  flee  paint  which  has  been  washed  in 
cool  alum-water. 

Sow  to  use  Tobacco-water. 

The  most  effectual  way  to  use  tobacco-water  is  as 
follows  :  Procure  the  strongest  shag,  and  make  an  in- 
fusion by  pouring  upon  it  boiling  water. 

TJw  whole  quantity  of  water  required  may  be  applied 


HOW  TO   DESTROY  INSECTS.  38 

in  the  first  instance  on  a  portion  only,  adding  the  re- 
mainder cold  some  time  afterwards. 

A  safe  rule  for  plants  of  every  kind  is  to  allow  half  a 
fftdlon  of  water  to  every  ounce  of  tobacco. 

The  tobacco  may  be  infused  a  second  time  and  the 
liquid  added  to  the  first  ;  the  second  infusion  should  be 
not  more  than  a  quart  of  water  to  every  ounce  of  to- 
bacco. Plants  with  leathery  leaves  will  bear  stronger 
doses  than  plants  with  thin,  papery  leaves,  and  the 
best  time  to  use  the  liquid  is  in  the  afternoon  or  evening. 

Small  plants  are  best  cleansed  by  dipping  them. 

Have  ready  a  vessel  large  enough  for  the  purpose 
filled  with  tobacco-water.  Take  hold  of  the  pot  with 
one  hand,  and  place  the  fingers  of  the  other  over  the 
soil  in  just  the  same  manner  as  if  about  to  turn  the 
plant  out  of  the  pot.  In  this  way  dip  the  plant  head 
downwards  into  the  liquid,  and  hold  it  there  a  few 
seconds. 

If  there  are  many  to  be  operated  on,  it  would  be  well 
to  have  the  liquid  in  a  trough  and  some  pieces  of  wood 
laid  across  ;  on  the  pieces  of  wood  the  edges  of  the  pots 
could  rest,  and,  beginning  at  one  end,  the  plants  could 
be  turned  over  with  their  heads  in  the  liquid,  and  re- 
main so  till  the  trough  is  filled,  which,  of  course,  would 
occupy  but  a  brief  space  of  time. 

When  taken  out  of  the  bath  the  plants  should  be 
laid  on  their  side  to  drain,  and  then  be  well  syringed 
with  pure,  soft  water, 


34  HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

This  method  of  proceeding  entirely  prevents  the  ab- 
sorption by  the  soil  in  the  pots  of  any  of  the  tobacco- 
water,  which  would  injure  the  roots,  and  it  moreover 
ensures  the  complete  wetting  of  the  under  sides  of  the 
leaves.  The  liquid  should  always,  if  possible,  be  used 
tepid,  and  it  is  then  more  effectual  than  when  used 
quite  cold.  Indeed,  it  may  be  used  as  hot  as  the  hand 
will  bear  it  comfortably  without  injury  to  the  plants. 

An  Easy  Way  of  Malting  Tobacco-tea. 

A  lady  famous  for  her  success  in  splendid,  healthy 
plants  gives  her  secret  as  follows  : 

"  Every  two  weeks  all  the  winter  I  would  take  a 
handful  of  tobacco-stems  and  steep  them  by  pouring 
boiling  water  over  them  until  it  looked  like  strong  tea  ; 
then,  when  the  tea  cooled  enough  for  the  hand  to  bear,  I 
poured  it  over  the  plants.  Sometimes  the  leaves  would 
wilt  for  a  few  moments,  and  then  straighten  out  and 
have  that  bright,  fresh  look  they  have  in  summer  after 
a  shower.  Then  I  would  weaken  the  tea  a  little  more 
and  wet  the  ground  in  the  pots,  and  I  have  no  red 
spider  or  green  fly." 

Sow  to  use  Whale-oil  Soap. 

Mix  whale-oil  soap  and  sulphur  together  in  the  pro- 
portion of  one  ounce  of  the  former  and  half  an  ounce  of 
the  latter  to  a  gallon  of  water,  and  give  the  plants  a 
good  washing  »while  at  rest.  It  will  prove  most  excel- 
lent as  a  preventive  of  the  ravages  of  thrips  and  red 


HOW  TO   DESTROY  INSECTS.  35 

spider,  which,  if  not  kept  in  check,  are  troublesome  when 
the  plants  are  in  full  growth,  and  weaken  them  much 
by  causing  the  leaves  to  turn  a  sickly  color  and 
fall  off,  so  that  the  flowers  are  neither  so  plentiful  nor  so 
fine  as  on  a  vigorous,  healthy  plant. 

To  use  it  successfully  lay  the  plant  over  a  tub  in 
such  a  way  that  the  shoots,  which  are  very  brittle,  do 
not  get  broken,  and  with  a  powerful  syringe  dash  the 
mixture  thoroughly  into  every  joint,  and  it  usually 
keeps  the  plants  clean  for  the  season. 

The  plants  are  turned  on  the  side  to  wet  the  under 
sides  of  the  leaves,  which  is  the  general  hiding-place  for 
insects,  and  also  to  prevent  the  water  from  dropping  on 
the  soil  in  the  pots  ;  for,  although,  not  deleterious  in  it- 
self, it  chokes  the  pores  of  the  soil  and  prevents  the 
water  from  passing  freely. 

It  is  not  advisable  to  use  this  or  any  other  mixture 
on  the  foliage  while  the  growth  is  young  and  tender, 
and  certainly  not  when  in  flower. 

The  foliage  of  azaleas  is  very  easily  injured  when  in 
a  young  state,  and  requires  great  care  if  necessary  to 
fumigate  with  tobacco  at  any  time ;  but  if  the  plants 
are  clean  before  flowering,  a  free  use  of  the  hose  or 
syringe  each  day  while  growing  is  usually  sufficient  to 
keep  insects  in  check. 

To  Restore  Frost-bitten  Plants. 

If  by  any  accident  plants  become  frost-bitten, 
they  may  be  restored  by  immersing  them  immediately, 


36  SOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

while  they  are  stiff,  in  cold  water,  and  keeping  them 
thus  in  a  darkened  room  for  an  hour  or  two,  or  placing 
them  in  the  cellar  for  a  night  or  BO. 

White  Spots  on  Window-sills. 

A  white  spot  is  often  made  on  a  painted  window-sill 
by  allowing  flower-pota  to  set  long  thereon.  To  remedy 
this  take  fine  wood-ashes,  rub  the  spot,  then  wash  off 
with  clean  water. 


NOTES  AND  FLORAL  EXPERIENCES 

Of  Cultivators  in  Destroying  Insects  and  Using 

Remedies. 

Plant  Parasites. 

THE  struggle  with  parasites  is  the  plant-lover's  chief 
trial,  and  the  microscope  is  a  good  assistant.  The 
green  louse  is  a  brilliant,  bright-eyed  animal  under  the 
microscope,  but  his  brilliancy  will  hardly  atone  for  his 
enormous  appetite.  Bed  spiders  are  active  little  work- 
ers and  easily  discovered.  They  will  not  nourish  under 
frequent  cold  baths,  while  the  aphides  will  not  yield 
to  anything  but  hot  water  and  the  heavy  hand  of  fate. 
They  are  to  be  brushed  off  the  plants  ;  then, unless  bo'l- 
ing  water  is  poured  over  them  (in  the  sink),  they  can 
be  seen  walking  tip-toe  through  the  cold  water  in  pur- 
suit of  vegetation  once  more ;  eternal  vigilance  can 
keep  them  decimated,  and  plants  most  infested  should 
be  put  in  cooler  rooms.  The  slug  is  more  insidious  ; 


HOW  TO   DESTROY  INSECTS.  37 

he  builds  a  stationary  house,  then  sallies  forth  to  de- 
stroy. Too  small  to  be  detected  by  the  naked  eye,  the 
microscope  shows  minute  red,  animated  bodies  with 
several  legs,  not  unlike  the  red  spider ;  turn  his  house 
upside  down  with  a  pin,  and  it  appears  like  a  nest  full 
of  squirming  chickens.  These  houses,  or  scales,  appear 
on  the  leaves,  stems,  and  stalks  of  ivies,  on  rose-stalks, 
and  I  have  seen  them  on  carnations,  bouvardias,  and  the 
ivy-leaved  pelargoniums ;  when  they  are  numerous  it 
may  well  be  supposed  that  the  inhabitants  are  present 
in  vast  numbers.  A  sticky,  gummy  substance  precedes 
their  appearance,  which  may  be  noticed  in  small  spat- 
ters on  leaves  and  wall-paper ;  the  remedy  is  to  gei 
them  off.  Ivies  can  be  washed  with  an  old  tooth-brush 
most  effectually,  brushing  both  sides  of  the  leaves,  the 
stems,  and  stalks  with  weak  soap-suds ;  this,  if  done 
thoroughly  twice  a  year,  will  keep  a  large  ivy  in  good 
health,  even  if  kept  in  the  house  all  summer.  Smaller 
ones  can  be  washed  oftener  with  ease.  Small  ivies 
should  be  kept  in  pots  with  other  plants  till  a  foot  or 
two  in  length,  or  even  longer  ;  this  not  only  economizes 
space,  but  the  ivy  will  have  a  stronger  root  and  more 
rapid  growth ;  when  large  enough  to  be  an  ornament  it 
may  be  given  a  pot  by  itself." 

Manure-water,  Soot-tea,  etc. 

"  Now  let  us  see  the  ladies  kill  the  insects.     One  is 
told  that  a  sprinkling  of  wood-ashes  will  kill  the  tiny 


38  HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

worms  in  her  pots  arid  improve  the  plants.  Very  true. 
But  she  forthwith  puts  a  tablespoonful  in  each  pot  and 
kills  her  plants.  Another  is  told  that  liquid  manure  is 
beneficial.  She  drenches  plants  with  a  strong,  black 
solution,  and  then  stands  aghast  at  seeing  the  leaves 
turn  brown  and  fall  off.  A  third  kills  plants  with  am- 
monia, and  a  fourth,  hearing  of  the  good  effects  of  warm 
water  in  winter,  scalds  her  plants  as  heedlessly  as  if 
she  expected  to  have  boiled  callas  and  bouvardias  for 
dinner.  I  once  committed  my  full  share  of  such  blun- 
ders, but,  having  plodded  my  way  to  universal  success, 
hope  that  all  our  '  sisters '  may,  in  this  enlightened  age, 
attain  the  same  at  less  expense.  I  once  top-dressed  my 
dahlias  with  fresh  stable-manure  (taking  care  not  to  let 
it  touch  the  stem),  and  it  made  them  bloom  beautifully, 
keeping  the  ground  moist  and  gradually  enriching  it. 
Next  year  I  applied  hen-manure  in  the  same  way,  and 
it '  burnt  up '  the  plants.  I  would  not  recommend  the 
latter  as  a  liquid  manure.  A  weak  solution  of  cow- 
manure  (color  of  weak  coffee)  is  safer  and  better  than 
anything  else.  I  have  found  that  soot  and  wood-ashes 
combined  will  cure  eveiy  ill  that  the  royal  rose  is  heir 
to.  If  it  is  covered  with  insects,  if  the  leaves  look 
brown  and  spotted,  if  it  is  doing  badly  in  any  way,  just 
sprinkle  it  well  with  water  and  dust  it  freely  with  soot 
and  ashes  mixed  in  equal  proportions.  If  the  rose  is 
planted  out,  let  it  remain  until  the  next  rain  washes  it 
off.  If  potted  let  it  stay  on  for  four  or  five  days. 


HOW  TO   DESTROY  INSECTS.  39 

"  1  have  seen  this  application  change  the  color  of  a 
dull,  sickly  pink  rose  into  a  most  lovely  and  vivid  red. 
If  a  rose  seems  to  be  dying,  or  much  injured  by  a  hard 
winter,  don't  give  it  up  until  you  have  tried  watering  it 
once  a  week  with  soot-tea,  made  by  boiling  one  light  pint 
of  soot  in  twelve  of  water.  This  is  also  excellent  for 
fuchsias.  If  the  leaves  of  your  heliotrope  are  brown  and 
rusty  on  the  edges,  remove  the  surface  soil  carefully  and 
replace  it  with  fresh  dirt  which  has  a  good  deal  of 
charcoal  and  one  teaspoonful  of  soot  mixed  with  it,  and 
the  good  result  will  soon  be  apparent.  Now  for  the 
grand  '  Masonic '  secret  of  success.  Always  top-dress 
your  plants  if  they  seem  sickly  or  refuse  to  bloom,  but, 
don't  repot  them  every  time  they  seem  to  be  doing 
badly.  Top-dressing  has  as  good  an  effect  as  '  change 
of  air '  with  human  invalids,  but  too  frequent  repotting 
is  truly  said  to  be  the  bane  of  plant-culture." 

Scale-louse,   Meat;' -buy,  etc. 

"  I  have  had  something  to  do  with  the  above-men- 
tioned intruders  during  the  past  summer.  These  dis- 
gusting creatures  were  introduced  to  my  notice  by  a 
myrtle  and  two  bouvardias  (pink  and  white)  received 
from  the  greenhouse  some  months  ago.  I  wondered 
why  my  myrtle  grew  so  slowly,  and  one  day,  on  giving 
it  a  more  loving  look  than  usual,  I  discovered  it  was 
literally  covered  with  little  brown  scales,  the  midribs 
and  axil  of  every  leaf,  and  all  along  the  woody  stem, 


40  HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

till  every  joint  looked  swollen.  I  immediately  thought 
of  the  scale-louse  I  had  read  of,  so  I  concluded  this  was 
fhe  pest  and  went  to  work.  I  put  the  pot  on  a  paper, 
and  with  a  dull  penknife  carefully  scraped  every  stem 
and  leaf  till  they  fell  down  thick  on  the  paper,  which  I 
burned ;  then,  with  an  old  tooth-brush,  I  scrubbed  the 
entire  plant  with  soapsuds  with  ammonia  in  it,  and  have 
repeated  this  operation  three  times  within  as  many 
weeks,  and  my  myrtle,  even  in  this  short  time,  shows 
a  change ;  it  is  putting  out  tiny  shoots  all  over,  and 
even-  little  glossy  leaf  looks  bright  and  healthy  now.  I 
know  it  thanked  me  for  those  scrubbings. 

"  In  many  places  one  would  scarcely  detect- ^he  scale- 
louse,  it  looks  so  much  like  the  bark,  but  a.  touch  with 
the  point  of  your  penknife  will  soon  tr»i\  you  if  .:t  is 
there.  My  pink  bouvardia  I  treated  the  same  wt  T. 
and  it  is  also  flourishing.  The  white  bouvardia  (Jas- 
minoides)  had  the  mealy-bug  on  it,  and  before  I  had 
observed  it  thej*  had  infested  my  Vinca  Harrisonia,  but. 
constant  watching  lias  freed  them  both  from  this  pest. 
One  day  you  will  see  some  white  powdery-looking  stuff, 
and  the  next,  perhaps,  a  snug  nest  of  young  mealy- 
bugs; they  increase  rapidly,  as  it  seems  to  me  all  ene- 
mies of  plant-life  do.  I  find  it  best  to  look  over  all 
plants  from  the  greenhouse,  for  there  is  almost  always 
some  enemy  hiding  around,  and  one  infested  plant  will 
soon  spread  through  a  collection,  and  give  more  work 
of  the  kind  than  one  cares  to  perform." 


TO   DESTROY  INSECTS.  41 

27i,*  Verbena  Rust. 

•  1  could  not  grow  verbenas  at  all.  Some  seasons  not 
_i«.ore  than  three  or  four  out  of  a  large  bed  would  live  5 
u  afcher  times  all  would  persist,  notwithstanding  my 
••ire,  in  dwindling  down  into  sickly,  puny  plants,  willed 
I  could  not  help  feeling  were  a  disgrace  to  my  garde?i, 
and  have  many  a  time  rooted  up  in  sheer  despair,  pre- 
ferring an  empty  bed  (for  they  generally  hung  on  until 
it  was  too  late  for  anything  else  to  take  their  place)  to 
the  sight  of  so  many  invalids.  The  disease  known  a* 
1  black  rust '  was  the  foe  I  had  to  contend  with. 

"  In  vain  I  tried  every  remedy  I  would  hear  of:  hat 
new  beds  cut  in  virgin  soil,  as  many  gardeners  advise, 
watered  with  solutions  of  ammonia,  copperas,  petrc 
leum,  whale-oil  soap,  etc. ;  at  other  times  had  old  rotl< 
—,'mpost  brought  from  the  woods  and  duly  mixed  with 
sand  a.nd  well-rotted  manure,  and  when  that  failed 
have  tried  various  fertilizers,  but  with  no  better  suc- 
cess. Every  book  of  acknowledged  merit  I  could  find 
jn  floriculture  I  greedily  searched  in  hopes  of  finding 
in  it  some  solution  of  my  especial  difficulty ;  none, 
however,  appeared,  and  I  began  to  think  there  must 
be  something  in  the  soil  or  climate  of  our  particular 
locality  against  which  it  was  useless  for  me  to  strive 
longer  (I  had  tried  plants  from  a  number  of  different 
iiorists,  grown  both  from  cuttings  and  seed),  when  help 
<jaiDfl  unexpectedly  to  T.  fron?  a  conversation  1  ha;] 
ield  with  s,lr»en<?  sonaa  vears  previously  on  the  subject 


42  SOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

of  raising  gooseberries,  or  rather  on  the  difficulty  ot 
doing  so  satisfactorily,  the  berries  proving  so  very  far 
interior,  both  in  size,  quality,  and  flavor,  to  those  raised 
by  our  neighbors  across  the  mill-pond.  My  friend's 
theory  was  this :  '  That  the  hot  sun  shining  on  the 
bushes,  while  still  both  leaves  and  fruit  are  dripping 
with  dew,  causes  all  the  mischief ;  if,  therefore,  you 
want  no  mildew,'  said  hv,  '  plant  where  there  is  shade 
from  the  morning  sun,  so  that  the  clew  may  dry  gradu- 
ally from  the  heat  of  the  atmosphere  j  manure  the  soil 
freely  ;  water,  it  dry  weather,  at  the  roots  only,  and  you 
will  find  your  gooseberries,  after  a  year  or  two,  will 
astonish  you  and  all  your  neighbors.' 

"  Now,  thought  I,  if  this  treatment  be  so  good  for  the 
gooseberry,  why  not  for  the  verbena?  It  will,  at  any 
rate,  do  no  harm  to  try.  So  once  more  I  sent  for  ver- 
benas for  a  bed  which  was  shaded  from  the  east  by  a 
terrace;  once  again  I  planted  my  favorites,  watered, 
watched,  and  waited.  I  wish  some  of  the  readers  of 
the  Cabinet  could  have  seen  that  bed  about  the  end  of 
the  July  following  j  it  was  a  perfect  blaze  of  glory.  No 
wilted,  sickly  plants ;  no  black  rust !  Nothing  in  the 
whole  garden  could  compare  with  it  5  even  passers-by 
were  attracted,  and  stopped  to  admire  its  brilliancy, 
little  thinking  how  long  and  how  hard  its  owner  had 
toiled  ere  she  succeeded  in  making  those  healthy,  strong- 
looking  flowers  annual  visitors  to  her  garden,  where 
they  are  now  such  welcome  guests.  ALA  " 


HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS,  43 

Thrlpa  and  Small  Pots. 

"  If  you  would  get  rid  of  thrips  you  must  rise  early. 
Perhap«  you  do  not  know  the  creatures  personally. 
Allow  me  to  introduce  them  to  you,  lest  you  encounter 
them  unawares.  I  will  tell  you  what  I  know  about 
them,  though  they  will  hardly  keep  still  long  enough  for 
me  to  give  them  a  critical  examination. 

"  The  thrip  is  a  small,  white  fly ;  pure  white  it  looks 
on  the  leaf,  on  the  under  side  of  which  it  is  usually 
found.  The  moment  you  touch  the  leaf  it  is  ready  to 
fly  into  your  face,  nose,  eyes,  and  all  over  yon. 

"  The  only  cure  for  them  is  tobacco-smoke.  As  1 
cannot  apply  that  remedy  I  have  to  take  them  early  in 
the  morning,  before  they  get  wanned  up  enough  to 
make  them  lively.  I  took  a  salvia  one  morning  and 
plunged  it,  head  foremost,  into  a  tub  of  water.6  The 
•exatious  creatures  would  not  drown  or  be  drowned. 
They  rose  in  myriads  out  of  the  water,  like  a  flock  of 
doves.  I  stirred  the  water  round  and  round,  and  came 
to  the  conclusion  that  they  were  more  difficult  to  kill 
than  a  cat,  which  is  said  to  have  nine  lives.  The  method 
I  am  now  taking  to  dispose  of  them  is  to  lift  the  leaves 
very  gently,  in  order  not  to  disturb  their  nap,  and  to 
wipe  them  off  with  a  wet  sponge,  taking  care  to  kill 
every  one.  I  hope,  by  care  and  perseverance,  to  rid 
myself  of  this  pest.  They  are  very  troublesome  On  sal- 
vias,  lantanas,  bouvardias,  and  roses.  If  you  should  be 
eo  unfortunate  as  to  be  troubled  with  them,  you  will 


44  HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

find  on  the  under  side  of  your  leaves  little  white  specks 
adhering'  to  the  leaves.  These  I  take  to  be  the  egg  or 
germ  from  which  the  insect  is  developed,  and  they  must 
all  be  washed  off  carefully. 

"  MAY'S  MIGNONETTE." 

Experiments  with  Salt  and  Sot  Water. 

"  Every  season  I  have  tried  some  new  idea.  One 
season  it  was  salt — so  I  salteJ  to  death  some  very 
flourishing  carnations  and  roses.  The  recipe  said  a 
teaspoonful  of  salt  to  a  small  pot.  I  tried  it  in  a  good- 
sized  one,  and  the  leaves  fell  off  from  the  plants  or  dried 
upon  the  stems ;  so  I  learned  a  lesson  not  to  use  salt. 
Then  lime-water  was  certain  death  to  them.  I  think 
the  worms  in  my  pots  fed  upon  it,  for  they  increased 
daily.  So  I  took  the  matter  in  hand,  and  turned  boil- 
ing water  into  the  saucers  of  plants  that  were  injured 
by  them.  This  made  an  end  of  all  the  tiny  mites  that 
were  in  the  saucers,  and  the  roots  sucked  up  the  bottom 
heat,  and  grew  in  grace  and  beauty.  Then  I 
continued  to  give  them  a  hot  sud  every  morning,  but 
still  the  miserable  crawlers  luxuriated  upon  the  roots 
of  my  plants  and  covered  the  surface  of  the  pot.  So  a 
tablespoonful  of  warm — not  Iwt — wood-ashes  was  spread 
over  the  surface  of  the  pots,  and  with  a  hair-pin  they 
were  dug  into  the  soil.  They  exercise  a  verv  beneficial 
effect  upon  the  intruders,  who  could  not  enjoy  a  taste 
of  lye,  while  the  roots  of  the  plants  were  thankful  for 


HOW   TO   DESTROY  INSECTS.  45 

the  potash  they  contained,  and  were  stimulated  into 
fresh  growth  by  it." 

Tobacco  for  Green  Bugs. 

li  After  two  years'  experience  in  trying  to  rid  my 
houee-plante  of  the  green  insect,  I  have  found  that 
a  good  method  is  to  get  a  paper  of  cut  and  dry 
tobacco  'such  as  smokers  use  for  the  pipe) ;  spread 
it  about  one  fourth  of  an  inch  deep  over  the  soil  in  the 
pot  j  when  this  disappears  add  more.  I  have  succeeded 
in  keeping  my  plants  free  altogether  by  this  remedy. 

"  MRS.  M.  M.  S.» 
Green  Rugs. 

"  The  little  green  bugs  I  have  had  by  the  millions, 
yes,  by  the  trillions,  especially  on  my  rose-bushes.  I 
tried  everything  any  one  told  me  of  to  get  rid  of  them, 
but  nothing  had  any  effect.  I  sprinkled  and  dusted 
and  powdered,  and  powdered  and  dusted  and  sprinkled, 
but  the  little  pests  were  as  'cute  as  I,  arid  crawled  on 
the  under  side  of  the  leaves,  where  they  kept  just  as 
dry  as  the  Israelites  when  they  passed  through  the  Red 
Sea.  A  florist  told  me  to  sprinkle  them  with  tobacco- 
water,  but  finding  sprinkling  did  no  good,  I  made  Bap- 
tists of  them  and  gave  them  a  'dip  ;  '  and  not  only  a 
dip,  but  I  took  a  sponge  and  washed  both  sides  of  every 
leaf  on  every  plant  that  had  a  bug  on  it  with  strong  to- 
bacco-water, and,  hurrah  !  Hail  Columbia !  that  did  the 
business,  for  I  have  not  seen  four  bugs  in  the  whole 


46  HOW  TO   DESTROY  INSECTS. 

garden  since.  It  was  a  very  tedious  job,  but  it  paid. 
After  I  washed  each  plant  I  poured  some  of  the  water 
around  the  roots.  EL  MINA." 

Bugs— Cold  Water. 

"  I  this  winter  have  followed  the  practice  of  a  green- 
house proprietor.  I  bought  a  plant  that  was  covered 
with  buds  and  flowers.  He  said  he  never  had  bugs  of 
any  description,  and  his  practice  was  to  open  the  faucet 
and  let  the  water  run  directly  on  to  the  buds  and  leaves, 
and  in  that  way  give  them  a  thorough  washing  once  a 
iceek.  I  thought  it  was  harsh  treatment  for  anything 
always  considered  so  delicate,  but  thought  I  would  try  it 
first  on  some  plants  about  which  I  should  not  feel  so  dis- 
appointed if  it  killed  them.  They  looked  so  much  better 
for  it  that  after  a  few  days  I  ventured  to  put  the  others 
to  the  same  test,  and  have  continued  to  do  so  once  a 
week,  no  matter  how  cold  the  weather,  and  they  have 
well  paid  me  for  the  trouble  in  their  improved  appear- 
ance. Of  course  care  must  be  taken  not  to  let  the 
water  run  on  to  the  roots.  MRS.  H.  S.  H." 

Green,   /•'"</>  again. 

"On  taking  my  plants  to  the  kitchen  a  few  days 
since  for  their  weekly  ablutions,  I  discovered  a  fine 
bouvardia  literally  alive  with  these  disagreeable  crea- 
tures. Now,  in  previous  years  I  have  succeeded  in 
destroying  the  insect  with  tobacco,  applied  variously, 


HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS.  47 

but  then  the  plants  died  also ;  so  I  concluded  to  prepare 
some  strong  soap-suds ;  then  I  thoroughly  washed  the 
leaves  with  a  cloth  and  plunged  the  entire  plant  under 
water.  At  night  I  again  examined  my  plant,  and  lo  ! 
it  was  as  thickly  covered  as  before ;  indeed,  I  believe 
the  insects  enjoyed  a  good  bath,  and  perhaps  considered 
it  a  special  preservative  treatment  administered  for  their 
own  benefit.  I  became  so  much  interested  in  this 
amphibious  creature  that  I  concluded  to  examine  it 
under  the  microscope.  I  gently  raised  one  of  them  on 
the  end  of  my  finger  and  placed  it  under  the  glass, 
when  oh  !  horrible,  it  changed  from  an  inoffensive  green 
mite  to  a  creature  the  size  of  a  toad,  with  two  most  vil- 
lanous,  opaque-looking  eyes  prominent  on  each  side  of 
its  head,  resembling  very  much  the  toad's,  but  its  body 
was  beautifully  marked  with  dark  rings.  On  each  side 
were  attached  three  legs,  which  were  jointed  and  fur- 
nished at  the  end  with  two  claws,  giving  the  foot  the 
shape  of  a  hook.  From  each  side  of  its  head  appeared 
two  long  propellers  (thus  I  term  them,  for  they  seemed 
to  be  used  in  guiding  the  body).  In  the  rear  were  two 
more — I  might  say  legs,  but  they  were  stiff  and  only 
half  the  length  of  the  legs,  so  I  concluded  they  were  in 
some  manner  connected  with  the  proper  engineering  of 
the  body. 

"  The  creature  seemed  frightful ;  my  inclination  was 
to  take  him  up  with  the  tongs  and  drop  him  out  of  the 
window,  but  there  was  my  poor  plant  covered  with 


48  HOW  TO  DESTKOY  INSECTS. 

these  vegetable  •  vampires,  aud  how  was  I  to  destroy 
them  and  at  the  same  time  not  sacrifice  my  plant  ? 

"  A  friend  of  mine  tells  me  she  kills  them  one  by  one, 
but  oh  !  how  slow." 

Mealy-bugs. 

SCENE — A  CONSEBVATOBT. 

Spectators  ensconced  in  dark  corners  of  the  cobweb 
galleries  plotting  the  destruction  of  some  poor  fly. 
Also,  parties  of  aphis  are  present,  more  intent  upon 
chewing  geranium  leaves  than  upon  witnessing  the  per- 
formances. There  may  be  a  toad  or  two  in  the  pit,  but 
if  so  they  were  not  sufficiently  awake  to  cheer.  Pussj 
stood  in  the  door  winking  and  purring  in  anticipation 
of  a  good  fee  in -catnip  from  a  pot,  in  one  corner. 

The  performances  commenced  with  the  Mealy-bug 
March,  closing  with  a  tragedy,  accompanied  with  the 
Dead  March  in  Saul. 

The  instruments  used  were  a  tooth-brush  and  small 
syringe,  winding  up  with  a  grand  nourish  from  the 
watering-pot. 

Let  me  describe,  not  introduce,  to  you  this  same 
mealy-bug.  It  is  by  no  means  an  ugly-looking  insect. 
They  remind  me  of  guinea-pigs,  oval  in  form,  in  color 
white,  a  silvery  white,  with  sometimes  a  bufl  or  a  pink 
tinge,  as  if  the  pink  were  seen  through  gauze,  reminding 
one  of  those  pretty  white  shells  with  pink  lining.  They 
are  disgusting  creatures  to  kill,  and  are  very  trouble- 


HOW   TO   DESTROY  INSECTS.  4:9 

some  on  some  plants,  particularly  on  bouvardias.  I 
have  been  fighting  them  on  an  ivy  geranium  for  the 
past  two  years.  They  move  so  unwillingly  it  is  a  mys- 
tery to  me  how  they  get  from  one  plant  to  another. 
The  Mealy-bug  March  is  a  very  slow  inarch.  I  wish  to 
put  you  on  your  guard  against  them.  I  had  frequently 
read  of  them,  but  did  not  make  their  acquaintance  until 
about  three  years  ago.  At  that  time  I  received  from  a 
greenhouse  two  plants  of  bas'ella  rubra,  in  fine  condition 
apparently.  Not  suspecting  mischief,  and  being  busy, 
I  merely  watered  the  plants  when  necessary  for  some 
little  time ;  but  alas !  one  day,  on  close  examination,  1 
found  the  stems  covered  with  white  insects.  I  find 
them  on  the  stems  of  plants,  in  the  axils  of  the  leaves, 
on  the  under  and  sometimes  on  the  upper  sides  of  the 
leaves.  They  infest  bouvardias,  coleus,  cissus,  discolor, 
and  one  of  my  ivy  geraniums.  I  cannot  smoke  them, 
and  I  do  not  like  to  use  tobacco  soap  or  water,  as  I 
think  it  poisons  me,  so  I  persevere  in  washing  and 
brushing.  The  best  way  to  do  is  to  "  look  out  for  the 
engine  before  it  comes."  Sometimes  they  are  not 
larger  than  a  small  pin-head,  and  sometimes  are  half  as 
large  as  a  water- bug.  Look  out  for  all  little  white 
specks  on  your  plants,  for  they  often  contain  the  germ 
of  a  troublesome  insect. 

If  a  plant  from  a  greenhouse  looks  fresh  and  flourish- 
ing, do  not  take  it  for  granted  that  it  is  going  to  be  free 
from  insects,  but  examine  it  daily,  and  do  not  complain 


50  HOW  TO   DESTROY  INSECTS. 

of  the  florist  who  has  sold  you  the  plant,  for  if  you  can- 
not keep  half  a  dozen  plants  free  from  vermin  how  can 
you  expect  him  to  do  so  with  hundreds  ? 

MAY'S  MIGNONETTE. 

Potash  for  Ants,  etc. 

A  lady  troubled  with  ants  and  other  insects  says : 

"  Use  from  one-half  to  one  ounce  of  potash  in  a  pail 
of  water,  and  give  the  insects  a  shower-bath,  and  they 
will  go  without  even  saying  good-by. 

"  Near  plants  and  roots  I  do  not  like  to  use  this  alkali, 
neither  do  I  like  to  destroy  ants,  as  they  are  good 
hunters  after  still  worse  insects.  Then  I  use  red  pepper, 
and  create  a  flight  that  leaves  not  a  soul  behind. 

"  For  or  against  rats,  mice,  moles,  etc.,  I  also  use  a 
paste  of  potash,  and  put  some  of  it  in  their  holes  or  run- 
ways where  they  have  to  walk.  For  cleaning  trees, 
shrubs,  etc.,  I  use  soft-soap  mixed  with  some  potash  and 
water,  and,  with  a  garden  syringe,  a  good  washing 
cleans  every  tree,  shrub,  and  plant." 

Red  Pepper. 

A  friend  has  tried  red  pepper  with  good  results,  dust- 
ing it  over  the  surface  of  the  soil,  and  also  upon  the 
leaves  and  branches  of  plants  infested  with  green  spiders 
and  green  flies.  The  pepper  does  not  seem  to  injure 
the  plants,  but  in  a  day  or  two  they  should  be  placed  in 
a  tub  and  receive  a  good  showering  of  warm  water. 

In  using  red  pepper  it  must  not  be  put  cu  by  the  teaT 


HOW  TO   DESTROY   INSECTS.  51 

spoonful,  but  only  dusted  over  the  surface  through  a 
pepper  caster. 

A  Stimulating  liquid. 

"  I  am  using  a  stimulating  liquid  composed  of  sul- 
phate of  ammonia,  four  ounces ;  nitrate  of  potash,  two 
ounces  ;  add  to  them  one  pint  of  boiling  water  -,  when 
thoroughly  dissolved,  cork  tightly,  and  put  a  teaspoon- 
ful  of  it  to  every  three  quarts  of  warmish  water  used  in 
watering.  A  few  drops  of  it  added  to  the  water  in 
hyacinth-glasses  will  stimulate  the  bulbs  to  much  finer 
growth  and  blossoms.  This  liquid  seems  to  be  obnox- 
ious to  the  small  white  worms.  C.  .G." 

Sulphur. 

"  I  used  sulphur  on  my  rose-bushes  early  in  the 
spring;  sprinkled  them  when  the  dew  was  on.  It  de- 
stroyed the  insects  on  the  foliage ;  they  bloomed  beauti- 
fully. I  tried  it  on  a  Jerusalem  cherry-tree,  for  green 
lice,  with  good  success.  Quassia-bark  tea  is  excellent 
for  the  same  purpose/' 

JAcf.  on  Rose-bushes. 

"A  good  way  to  kill  lice  on  rose-bushes  is  to  take  a 
piece  of  whale-oil  soap  about  the  size  of  an  egg  to  a 
gallon  of  hot  water  (it  dissolves  better  in  hot) ;  then 
apply  with  watering-pot  or  syringe ;  let  it  remain  on 
the  bushes  about  ten  minutes,  then  wash  off  with  clear 
water  (for  young  bushes  and  for  the  new  foliage  make 


52  HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

the  solution  half  as  strong) ;  repeat  about  twice  during 
the  spring,  and  you  will  have  fine  roses." 

Quassia  for  Jtose-bugs,  etc. 

"  The  Illinois  Horticultural  Society  recommend  quas- 
sia as  the  best  medicine  for  the  insects  that  mutilate 
rose-bushes  and  many  other  garden  shrubs.  Make  a 
strong  tea  of  quassia- bark — it  costs  ten  or  twelve  cents 
a  pound  wholesale — and  drench  the  bushes.  The  little 
pests  will  not  fancy  the  taste  any  better  than  sick  chil- 
dren do." 

Mose-slug, 

"  I  have  tried  many  remedies  (so  called)  without  ef- 
fect, but  for  the  last  two  summers  I  have  kept  my  roses 
clear  of  them  by  the  following  wash :  Two  ounces 
alum,  one  ounce  hellebore,  to  one  gallon  water,  applied 
with  a  Byringe,  once  a  week,  during  the  season  of  the 
slugs,  commencing  when  the  leaves  begin  to  appear. 

"  MRS.  J.  C.  O." 

"  Get  white  hellebore,  one  ounce,  and  dissolve  in  a 
pailful  of  soft,  cold  water,  the  colder  the  better.  Take 
it  on  a  sunny  morning  after  the  dew  is  entirely  dried 
off,  put  the  mixture  in  a  watering-pot,  and  give  the 
bushes  a  good  showering,  throwing  it  up  under  the 
leaves  as  much  as  possible,  wetting  them  all  over  thor- 
oughly. It  will  not  harm  the  bushes  or  roses  in  the 
least ;  but,  I  assure  you,  the  worm  that  gets  his  share 
of  the  dose  will  eat  rose-leaves  no  more  for  ever.  Please 


HOW  TO   DESTROY  INSECTS.  53 

tell  the  ladies  of  this,  that  they  may  save  those  beauti- 
ful roses.  MRS.  H.  F.  W." 

The  Practical  Farmer  says  :  "  We  absolutely  know, 
and  have  proved,  that  carbolic  acid  soap-suds,  injected 
over  the  bush  through  a  common  syringe,  is  an  effec- 
tual cure  for  the.  rose-slugs,  and  also  death  to  cater- 
pillars."' 

White  Hellebore — "  If  your  readers  have  been  troubled 
as  I  have  been  with  the  small  slug  which  destroys  the 
leaves  of  the  roses,  they  will  be  glad  to  know  that  a 
decoction  of  white  hellebore,  sprinkled  over  the  bushes 
twice,  is  a  successful  remedy.  I  take  a  quarter  of  a 
pound  and  steep  it  in  a  gallon  of  water,  and  when  cold 
apply  with  a  whisk-brush.  My  rose-bushes  are  looking 
finelv  where  the  application  wa-u  nade,  while  others  are 
nearly  mined.'' 

Insects  on  Rose-bushes — Kennedy. 

•'  I  know  one  really  safe  and  sure  remedy  to  rid  out- 
door and  indoor  rose-bushes  of  insects  of  all  kinds.  It  is 
this :  A  sufficient  quantity  of  blood-warm  water  made 
into  suds  with  common  soft  or  hard  soap.  Wash  the 
foliage  and  branches  thoroughly,  allowing  enough 
drainage  through  the  roots  to  destroy  all  insects  upon 
the  surface  or  within  the  soil,  and  then  carefully  rinse 
the  foliage,  branches,  and  roots  with  blood-warm,  clear 
water.  Give  pure  air,  warmth,  and  light.  This  is  sure 
and  sate.  AMI." 


54  HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

Salt  for  Jtosr*. 

"  I  saw  an  account  in  a  paper  about  three  years  ago 
»f  the  success  of  the  Shakers  at  New  Lebanon,  N.  Y., 
in  raising  fine  foliage  and  flowers.  This  the  brother  in 
charge  attributed  to  the  free  use  of  salt  as  a  top-dressing 
for  the  soil  of  the  beds.  The  salt  kills  rose  insects  of 
every  kind,  and  also  improves  the  health  and  vigor  of  the 
plants.  I  had  been  unable,  previous  to  seeing  this  ac- 
count, to  have  a  single  perfect  flower,  and  as  I  thought 
that  salt  could  do  no  worse  than  slugs  did,  I  would  try 
it.  So  to  about  half  a  dozen  bushes  I  used  a  quart  of 
rock-salt,  worked  into  the  dirt  about  three  or  four 
inches  from  the  body  of  the  bushes.  This  was  done  as 
soon  as  I  could  work  the  ground  in  the  spring.  I  had 
some  nice  roses,  and  my  bushes  grew  nearly  a,  foot 
higher  than  they  ever  had  before.  The  next  spring  I 
did  not  work  in  the  salt  until  the  bushes  had  begun  to 
leave  out.  This  did  not  prove  as  successful  as  the  year 
before ;  so  I  think,  in  order  to  prevent  the  ravages  of  the 
slug,  you  must  work  in  the  salt  as  early  in  the  spring  as 
possible,  BO  as  to  hinder  the  insect  from  hatching. 

"A.  C.  F.» 


SPECIAL    FERTILIZERS,     WASHES,    AND 
STIMULANTS 

For  Flowers  and.  House- Plants. 

The  following  has  been  used  with  good  success  in  the 
health  of  greenhouse  plants  and  out-of-door  shrubs  and 


HOW  TO   DESTROY  INSECTS.  55 

trees,  as  well  as  indoor  plants,  in  preserving  in  good 
health  from  mildew,  scale,  red  spider,  etc.; 

Flour  of  sulphur,  two  ounces,  worked  to- a  paste  vrith 
a  little  water  ;  sal- soda,  two  ounces  ;  cut  tobacco,  half 
an  ounce ;  quicklime,  the  size  of  a  duck's  egg ;  water, 
one  gallon!  Boil  together  and  stir  for  fifteen  minutes, 
and  let  cool  and  settle.  In  using,  dilute  lightly  if  plants 
are  tough  and  hard  woods,  but  dilute  much  if  plants 
are  tender,  and  then  syringe  with  water  after  each  ap- 
plication. 

A.  Good  Wash  and  Preventive  of  Insects. 

A  lady  thus  describes  how  she  prevents  insects  from 
troubling  her  plants : 

"  I  take  one  ounce  of  carbonate  ot  ammonia  and  a 
half  ounce  of  sulphuric  acid,  and  mix  together  (which 
forms  the  same  as  sulphate  of  ammonia),  to  which  I 
add  one  drachm  of  creosote,  and  put  all  into  two-gallons 
o.'.'  rain-water.  I  then  pour  into  each  pot  about  a  gil1 
once  a  month.  This  keeps  the  insects  from  the  roots, 
besides  being  a  good  manure.  Once  or  twice  a  week  I 
give  the  plants  a  thorough  drenching  with  lukewarm 
water,  which  keeps  them  from  the  leaves,  besides  wash- 
ing the  dust  off  the  leaves,  which  is  sure  to  accumulate 
on  all  plants  kept  in  the  house/' 

..  "  I  read  so  much  about  carbonate  of  ammonia  in  the 
Cabinet  that  I  procured  some  and  went  to  showering 
my  plants  with  it.  I  can  testify  that  it  is  not  over- 


56  HOW  TO   DESTROY  INSECTS. 

rated.  My  plants,  after  the  first  bath,  showed  its  good 
effects.  It  causes  them  to  look  so  healthy,  and  gives 
them  such  a  lovely  green,  I  would  not  do  without  it. 
Then  its  good  effects  do  not  end  here.  You  may  talk 
about  water  and  cleanliness  to  keep  off  the  green  lice. 
I  have  watered,  and  brushed,  and  sponged,  but  they 
only  seemed  to  come  the  more,  until  I  commenced 
showering  them  with  carbonate  of  ammonia  in  the 
water;  then  they  disappeared,  and  their  hateful 
presence  torments  me  no  more." 

Epsom,  Salts 

have  been  used  by  some  amateurs  with  good  success 
iu  ridding  their  plants  of  insects.  Dissolve  in  water 
and  sprinkle  both  leaves  and  soil. 

flaster-of-  Paris. 

The  green  slug,  or  rose-leaf-eater,  has  often  been 
conquered  by  dusting  the  bush  freely  with  plaster-oj'- 
paris  early  in  the  morning  before  sunrise,  when  the 
insect  is  freely  at  work,  and  when  the  foliage  is  wet 
with  dew  to  mingle  and  hold  the  plaster. 


Water  slightly  sprinkled  with  coal-oil  (to  give  it  an 
odor  only)  may  be  used  directly  on  the  leaves  when 
bugs  or  worms  are  found. 


PART  II. 


INSECTS    IN    THE  GARDEN. 


SLUGS. 

Penr-sluffs. 

THIS  insect,  wnich  plays  such  sad  havoc  wivh  pear- 
•rees,  and  sometimes  vrith  the  foliage  of  plum  and 
cherry-trees,  is  destroyed  in  a  variety  of  ways : 
*  1.  By  taking  shovels,  and  shovelling  up  the  Jignt 
»urfco&-dtut  of  the  soil  around  the  tree,  and  throwing' 
up  into  the  air  over  the  tree,  so  that  in  falling  it  Avill 
fall  on  the  upper  side  of  all  the  leaves  of  every  ^ree 
where  the  slug  is  eating.  The  dust  falling  upon  the 
slugs  stop'"  all  their  pores  and  breathing  apparatus,  and 
in  a  lew  minutes  or  hours  they  will  curl  up  and  fall  off 
dead. 

Any  description  of  fine  di.st,  lime,  or  powder  thrown 
over  them  is  sure  death.  The  surface-d'ist  of  th°. 
earth  is  the  ch^iest,  speediest,  nod  most  efficacious 
Temedy  knowt> 


58  HOW  TO   DESTROY  INSECTS. 

There  must  be  no  delay  the  moment  the  slugs  are 
seen ;  a  single  day  may  be  enough  for  the  slugs  to  do 
incalculable  damage,  as  if  any  leaves  are  eaten  off  a 
tree  it  is  injured  and  the  next  crop  is  practically 
ruined. 

2.  Frequent  applications  of  a  mixture  of  lime,  soot, 
and  soap-suds  may  be  made  over  the  trees  by  means 
of  a  garden  syringe. 

The  mixture  is  made  by  adding  to  twelve  gallons  of 
cold  water  one  bushel  of  soot  and  half  a  peck  ot  un- 
slacked  lime,  allowing  it  to  stand  one  day  to  settle, 
after  which  is  added  one  pound  of  soft  soap  dissolved  in 
warm  water. 

Slugs  on  Currants. 

*  Take  whale-oil  soap,  a  solution  of  one  pound  to  five 
gallons  of  water ;  sprinkle  over  the  leaves  from  a 
watering-pot  with  a  fine  hose. 

Slugs  on,  Cabbages. 

Quicklime  dusted  on  the  ground  in  early  morning  is 
a  good  remedy,  but  to  be  effectual  it  ought  to  be 
repeated  within  an  hour,  because  ths  slugs  have  the 
power  of  casting  their  skins,  and,  after  getting  rid  of  the 
lime,  will  seek  shelter. 

Slugs  on  Cherries*  years,  etc. 

Take  dust,  even  road-dust  or  surface-dust  of  the 
garden,  and  throw  over  the  leaves  where  the  slug  is  eat- 


ROW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS.  59 

ing,  and  it  will  adhere  to  the  slimy  surface  of  the  insect 
and  choke  him,  so  that  he  will  fall  off  and  die. 

All  slugs  of  a  slimy  nature  are  killed  with  dust  or  oil. 

Pear-sluy. 

Destroy  with  lime,  road- dust,  and  solution  of  white 
hellebore,  quassia,  Paris  green  with  water,  whale-oil 
soap,  carbolic  acid,  or  coal-oil. 

Apply  the  last  very  weak  or  trees  will  be  injured. 

The  Plum-slug. 

Dust  the  leaves  wiieu  damp,  for  several  days  in  suc- 
cession, either  with  ashes  or  road-dust.  Another  me- 
thod will  be  to  syringe  the  trees  with  suds  made  of 
whale-oil  soap,  two  pounds  to  fifteen  gallons  of  water  ; 
this  has  usually  proved  very  sure. 

Dusting  with  white  hellebore  will  kill  more  surely 
than  either  of  the  other  remedies,  but  is  more  costly. 

Slugs  in  the  Garden. 

Gas-tar  water,  diluted  to  the  color  of  weak  coffee,  ia 
an  excellent  preventive  to  the  ravages  of  slugs  on  all 
garden  crops.  Apply  by  night  from  an  ordinary  water- 
ing-pot, and  half  the  slugs  will  be  killed  and  the  rest 
much  weakened.  A  second  dose  after  an  interval  of  u  . 
week  is  sufficient  to  banish  them  altogether.  Slugs  may 
be  collected  by  a  little  bran  placed  under  some  cab- 
bage-leaves, or  pieces  of  bark  with  the  hollow  side  down, 
which  is  also  a  good  trap  for  wood-lice. 


60  HOW   TO   DESTROY  INSECTS. 

Slugs  on  Jessamines. 

Lay  cabbage-leaves  around  the  plant;  the  slugs  will 
go  under  them,  and  can  be  easity  caught  and  destroyed. 
Raw  potatoes  hollowed  out  serve  the  same  purpose. 


CATEEPILLARS. 

Caterpillars  on  Berry-bushes  or  Shrubbery. 

Where  berry-bushes  or  shrubbery  or  young  trees  are 
attacked  by  caterpillars,  two  dustings  of  fresh  lime 
over  them  in  the  morning,  while  the  leaves  are  wet 
with  the  dew,  will  kill  them  all.  It  will  do  the  same 
with  large  trees  that  are  infested,  but  it  is  difficult  to 
dust  them  all  over. 

Caterpillars  on  Cabboyes. 

The  fronds  of  the  common  bracken  (Pteris  aquilina) 
will  drive  away  the  caterpillar.  Upon  a  trial  of  this  by 
*••  *«end,  in  less  than  an  hour  after  the  bracken  fromla 
were  laid  on  not  a  caterpillar  was  to  be  seeu.  Elder 
leaves  are  said  to  be  equally  efficacious. 

Caterpillars  on  Z,aivn  or  Shade  Trees. 

Daub  the  stems  of  the  young  trees  near  the  leaves 
with  coal-tar  every  two  years.  The  coal-tar  is  laid  on 
in  a  narrow  ring  around  the  stem,  and  a  tree  thus 
treated  is  considered  to  be  safe  for  two  years  at  least. 

Various  Recipes  for  Caterpillars. 

Get  a  quantity  of  elder  leaves,  and  boil  them  in  as 
much  water  as  will  cover  them  until  the  liquor  becomes 


HOW  TO   DESTROY  INSECTS.  ol 

quite  black ;  then  clear  and  cool  it,  aud  to  every  gallon 
of  this  liquor  add  one  gallon  of  tobacco-water.  When 
the  trees  are  quite  dry  lay  it  on  with  a  fine  rose  water- 
pot,  and  in  about  ten  minutes  the  caterpillars  will  fall 
off  dead. 

An  excellent  remedy  consists  in  a  dilute  solution  (one 
part  in  500)  of  sulphide  of  potassium,  the  infested  tree 
being  sprinkled  with  this  substance  by  means  of  a  small 
hand-syringe.  This  method  has  been  successfully  used 
on  a  large  scale  in  Southern  France. 

To  Destroy  Gooseberry  Caterpillar. — Take  one 
ounce  of  hellebore  powder  and  two  ounces  of  powdered 
alum  ;  dilute  these  first  in  a  small  quantity  of  water,  so 
as  to  get  them  thoroughly  mixed,  then  add  a  gallon  of 
water ;  apply  the  mixture  to  the  bushes  affected,  either 
by  wetting  them  with  a  syringe  or  water-pot  on  the 
upper  surface  of  the  leaves.  The  caterpillars  will  drop 
off  soon  after  feeding  upon  the  leaves. 

Hellebore  powder,  if  dry,  will  destroy  the  pests,  but 
cannot  be  applied  as  regularly  as  if  diluted.  The 
principal  use  of  the  alum-water  is  to  cause  it  to  adhere 
to  the  leaves. 

One  gallon  will  do  for  ten  to  twelve  full-sized  bushes. 
Apply  this  as  soon  as  the  insects  are  observed. 

The  following  is  an  excellent  remedy,  which  has 
been  used  on  a  large  scale  in  Southern  France .  Take 
a  dilute  solution  of  sulphide  of  potassium,  at  the  rate 
of  about  one  part  in  500.  The  infested  plants  are 


62  HOW  TO   DESTROY  INSECTS. 

to  be  sprinkled  with  the  decoction  by  mean*  ot  a 
garden  syringe ;  the  vegetation  is  not  in  the  least  in- 
jured by  its  application. 

Hellebore  for  Caterpillars. — Water  the  branches 
affected,  and  while  wet  sprinkle  some  freshly-powdered 
hellebore  over  them.  In  a  few  minutes  the  grubs  will 
have  made  themselves  scarce  and  will  not  return. 

Hemp  for  Destroying  Caterpillars. — A  French  gar- 
dener describes  a  mode  of  destroying  caterpillars  which 
is  quite  unusual : 

"  Many  years  ago  I  saw  an  individual  sowing  broad- 
cast a  coarse,  gray  powder  on  beds  of  cabbages  which 
were  almost  devoured  by  legions  of  caterpillars. 

"  On  enquiry,  I  found  that  this  was  nothing  else 
than  the  refuse  of  beaten  hemp,  and  consisted  of  frag- 
ments of  the  dried  and  broken  leaves,  and  particu- 
larly of  the  crushed  seed-vessels.  In  half  an  hour 
all  the  caterpillars  had  fallen  down  dead  as  if  suffo- 
cated." 

Probably  watering  cabbages  with  water  steeped  in 
hemp  would  be  equally  beneficial. 

Tent-Caterpillars. — 1.  Kill  by  hand,  with  covering 
of  a- glove  to  protect  the  hand. 

2.  Apply  strong  soap-suds. 

3.  A  weak  solution   of  petroleum,  applied  with   a 
»wab  or  long  pole. 

4.  Plant  cherry-trees  around  all  orchards  ;  they  will 
attract  all  the  caterpillars,  and  the  orchard  will  be.unr 


HOW  TO   DESTROY  INSECTS.  63 

touched.     The  leaves  of  cherry-trees  are  preferred  by 
them  to  all  other  fruit-trees. 

Coal-tar  a  Remedy  for  Caterpillars. — Wherever 
these  get  on  or  under  the  bark  of  trees  they  may  be 
prevented  as  follows  :  Sub  the  base  of  the  young  trees 
every  two  years  with  coal-tar.  A  ring  of  this  liquid 
painted  on  each  tree  will  have  the  desired  effect,  as  the 
caterpillars  dread  it  like  the  plague. 


THE  green  cabbage-worm  can  be  successfully  de- 
stroyed with  hot  water. 

Heat  to  a  temperature  of  200°  or  more,  and  apply 
through  the  rose  of  a  common  watering-pot,  and  the 
worms  will  be  crucified.  A  temperature  of  even  a  few 
degrees  lower  will  still  destroy  the  worms  and  not  injure 
the  plants. 

This  method  of  destruction  is  easier  and  more 
efficient  than  the  use  of  salt,  carbolate  of  lime,  and 
other  substances  usually  employed. 

A  Pennsylvania  ladv  having  heard  of  the  noxious  in- 
fluence of  carbolic  acid  on  various  species  of  insects 
that  infest  gardens,  she  was  induced  to  try  its  effects 
upon  the  eabbaye-worm. 

For  this  purpose  she  procured  a  cake  of  soap  that  had 
been  strongly  scented  with  the  acid,  and,  having  made  a 
quantity  of  suds  therefrom,  she  transferred  it  to  a  water- 
ing-pot, and  in  the  early  part  of  the  day,  when  the 


64  HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

f/reen  worm  is  most  vigorous  in   its   movements,  she 
gave  several  garden-plots  of  cabbage  a  sprinkling. 

These  were  examined  soon  after,  and  a  number  of 
dead  worms  were  picked  from  the  leaves.  The  opera- 
tion was  repeated  next  day,  and,  after  careful  observa- 
tion, wherever  the  solution  was  tried  the  leaves  of  the 
plants  were  cleared  of  these  pests. 

Sot  Water  for  Cabbage-ivorms. 

A  gardener  who  had  tried  a  number  of  remedies  for 
the  cabbage -worm  found  that  sprinkling  of  red  pepper 
did  well,  but  the  best,  simplest,  cheapest,  and  most 
efficient  was  applying  hot  water.  It  may  be  wrongly 
applied,  to  the  injury  or  destruction  of  the  plant,  and  it 
may  be  properly  applied,  doing  no  injury  and  killing 
the  insects.  Fill  a  watering-pot  with  boiling  water  and 
sprinkle  the  infested  leaves  only  for  a  second  or  two. 
It  does  its  work  very  quickly  on  the  worms,  but  the 
leaves,  being  thick,  are  not  heated  or  injured.  The 
older  the  heads  become  the  less  the  danger.  The 
operator  must  practise  and  spoil  a  few  plants  to  save 
the  rest.  The  water,  by  the  time  it  reaches  the  plants, 
will  be  several  degrees  below  boiling.  He  must  deter- 
mine by  trying  how  long  the  hot  water  will  do  its  work 
before  becoming  too  cold.  At  the  same  time  he  must, 
ascertain  by  experiment  how  long  he  can  contrive  to 
apply  the  hot  water  before  the  leaves  are  injured  by  it, 
A  very  little  time  will  determine  these  points, 


HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS.  &> 

Remedy  for  Cabbage-worms. 

Buckwheat  flour,  sifted  through  a  sieve  early  in  the 
evening  or  in  the  morning  while  the  dew  is  on,  will 
effectually  eradicate  them.  Two  applications  (and 
often  one)  will  do  the  work.  It  is  preferable  to  helle- 
bore, or  any  other  article,  for  the  purpose,  and  has  the 
advantage  of  being  harmless. 


WORMS. 
Wire-worms 

are  very  frequent  in  fields  once  in  grass  and  just  con- 
verted over  into  gardens.  Cultivation  will  eradicate  the 
pest  in  time,  as  every  time  the  land  is  dug  the  birds 
will  make  a  feast  of  the  vermin,  and  the  use  of  lime 
and  salt  on  the  land  when  newly  dug  up  will  contrive 
to  thin  them. 

But  there  is  another  very  successful  way :  sou?  car- 
rots in  short  rows  in  all  the  garden-beds  occupied  with 
lettuces,  onions,  and  other  things  that  they  usually  de- 
stroy. 

As  long  as  they  can  find  their  way  to  a  feed  of  car- 
rots they  will  desert  everything  else,  just  as  slugs  anu 
snails  will  quit  everything  else  for  lettuces. 

Sow  the  caiTots  quite  thick,  if  broadcast;  if  in  gar- 
den-beds, sow  at  intervals  of  about  two  yards  across 
every  four-feet  bed,  and  they  will  catch  many  vermin, 
when  you  can  drown  them  and  dispose  of  them. 


66  HOW  TO  DESTROY  IS  SECTS. 

Alternate  rows  of  onions,  lettuces,  etc.,  with  carrots 
may  be  sown,  and  tiie  worms  will  leave  all  to  go  to  the 
carrots  for  food. 

Wire-worms  in  Turf  I/and. 

A  cultivator  who  for  several  years  had  been  dread- 
ful^ pestered  with  wire-worms,  and  his  potatoes,  tur- 
nips, carrots,  and  other  roots  were  pierced  through  and 
through  with  this  pest,  had  a  thought  occur  to  him  of 
<oi  application  of  spent  gas-tar  lime. 

Two  cartbads  were  obtained  from  the  gas-woikK, 
and  were  mixed  with  six  times  as  much  good  soil  and 
manure,  each  in  equal  quantities. 

This  was  spread  in  the  ground  in  November,  and 
dug  in  a  spade  deep  ;  then  in  the  spring  potatoes  and 
other  general  crops  were  planted  with  stable-manure. 
Excellent  crops  were  realized  that  year  and  afterwards, 
and  not  a  single  wire-worm  could  be  detected  after  that 
dressing. 

It  is  very  important  not  to  overdose  with  the  gas- 
lime  5  dilute  it  well  with  soil  and  manure. 

It  is  also  excellent  «br  destroying  grubs. 

Coal-ashes  for  Currant-worms. 

Cnrrant  and  gooseberry  bushes  have  been  kept  free 
from  the  currant-worm  bv  mulching  heavily  with  coal- 
ashes. 

The  ashes  also  have  another  and  unexpected  value— 
viz.,  keeping  the  ground  cool  and  moist,  so  that  even 


EOT?  TO   DE3T20?  INSECTS.  Gi 

EngL'-slt  £-o~seberries  will  bear  heavy  crops  without 
sign  of  snildew. 

IFormj  on  Honeysuckle  Vines. 
Try  dusting  with  fresh  lime  or  hellebore  powder  j 
otherwise  hand-picking  is  the  only  remedy. 

Worms  on,  Zaivua. 

A  good  way  to  get  rid  of  these  is  to  take  up  the  turf 
and  relay  it  on  an  inch  of  fine  coal-ashes  ;  if  the  grass  is 
weakly,  spread  a  thin  coating  of  good  fine  soil  on  the 
ashes  before  laying  the  turf  down. 

Raspberry  and  Currant  Worms. 

Air-slacked  lime  is  better  than  ashes,  which  are  often 
used. 

A  single  application  of  the  lime  has  been  sufficient  to 
rout  a  large  army  of  worms. 

A  gardener,  setting  his  red  and  large  grape  currants 
in  alternate  hills  with  the  black  currant,  was  pleased 
after  trial  of  three  years  to  find  neither  infested  with 
the  currant-worm,  the  black  currant  seeming  to 
prove  a  perfect  preventive  ;  whilst  in  other  portions  of 
his  garden,  not  so  planted  alternately,  the  red  currante 
were  covered  with  the  worms  and  were  utterly  de- 
stroyed. 

Tho  peculiar  odor  of  the  leaf  of  the  black  currant  is 
particularly  disagreeable  to  many  of  the  insect  tribe. 


38  SOW  TO  DESTROY  IJVSKOTS. 

Canker -worms. 

J.  Syringe  with  Paris  green  and  water. 

2.  Catch  the  moths  with  rope  bands. 

\  Surround  the  trunks  of  trees  with  paper  bands  bo- 
twiieared  with  printer's  ink. 

4.  Jar  the  tree,  and  the  worms  will  fall  down  to  the 
ground,  where,  dropping  in  straw  scattered  below. 
«hey  may  b«5  set  on  fire  and  all  burned  up. 

Canker-worm  Remedy. 

Some  gardeners  have  successfully  employed  Paris 
green  to  destroy  the  -oanker-worm.  The  Paris  green  is 
mixed  with  water  at  about  the  same  rate  as  for  pota- 
toes, or  about  one  tablespoonful  to  a  common -si  zed 
water-pail.  It  is  thrown  on  the  trees  by  means  of  a 
*>and-forcing  pump,  through  a  rose  having  two  or  three 
dozen  perforations  a  tenth  of  an  inch  in  diameter.  The 
Paris  green  must  of  course  be  kept  well  stirred  to  pre 
vent  its  settling  to  the  bottom  of  the  ^essel  of  water.  A 
convenient  method  is  to  place  a  barrel  of  water  in  a 
wagon,  with  a  pail  for  making  the  mixture,  and  a 
supply  of  the  poison  ;  and  then  mix  and  use  as  needed 
\rhile  driving  through  the  orchard.  The  application 
being  made  early  in  the  season  while  the  youiig  fruit 
is  quite  small,  all  vestiges  are  washed  off  by  rains  long 
before  the  fruit  ripens. 

Xomnto-worma. 

Hand-picking  is  the  only  effectual  remedy. 


HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS.  69 

The  Onion-maggot. 

Sow  broadcast  lime  and  ashes  in  the  proportion  of  one 
of  ashes  to  three  or  four  of  lime.  If  onions  show  signs 
of  yellows  or  withering,  apply  specially  in  their  rows  a 
peck  of  air-slacked  lime  to  every  two  hundred  feet  of 
length  of  row. 

Currant  Measuring  Worm. 

Use  hellebore. 


PLANT-LICE. 

Currant-louse. 

Hellebore  is  not  only  the  most  effectual  but,  when 
properly  applied,  the  cheapest  remedy  known.  A  good 
method  of  using  it  is  to  place  it  in  a  wide-mouthed  jar 
with  a  lip  around  the  edge,  over  which  can  be  tied 
one  or  two  thicknesses  of  fine  muslin.  The  hellebore 
can  then  be  shaken  through  the  muslin  directly  where 
it  is  wanted,  with  very  little  waste,  and,  it  of  good 
quality,  is  certain  death  to  every  worm  it  touches. 


on  Fruit-trees. 

a.  A.  decoction  of  tobacco  is  sometimes  successful. 

6.  A  wash  composed  of  three  pounds  of  sal  -soda. 
dissolved  in  a  pailful  of  water,  is  another  remedy. 

c.  Three  ounces  of  whale-oil  soap  to  a  pailful  of 
water.  Apply  upon  the  first  indications  of  the  lice. 
The  trees  will  be  injured  if  much  soap  is  used. 


70  BOW  TO  DESTROY  JMSEOT& 

Wood-lice. 

If  they  are  so  abundant  as  to  be  easily  reached,  pour 
boiling  hot  water  on  them  and  into  their  haunts. 

They  have  a  great  partiality  for  potatoes,  and  by 
scattering  these  around  they  will  be  attracted  to  them, 
when  the  hot  water  can  be  vigorously  used. 

Flower-pots  filled  with  hay  have  been  used,  and  with 
such  good  success  that  thousands  have  been  killed. 

The  pots  are  laid  on  their  sides,  and  once  a  day  the 
hay  is  lifted  out  of  the  pots ;  then  shoot  the  wood-lice 
into  a  pail  of  hot  water. 

Borer  and  Bark-louse. 

Apply  soft-soap  and  water  to  all  fruit-tress  in  the 
first  week  ol  June.  It  not  only  exterminates  the  sap- 
pers (bark-lice)  but  banishes  the  miners  (borers). 

Scrape  the  trees  early  in  spring ;  apply  the  soft-soaj 
first  ol  June,  and  again  the  first  of  July,  and  do  no1, 
forget  to  adjust  the  cloth  bands  by  the  last  of  June. 

Bark-louse. 

This  may  be  destroyed  in  spring,  just  after  hatching, 
by  the  application  of  alkaline  washes,  such  as  lye,  soap- 
suds, or  whitewash. 

The  eggs  under  the  scales  may  be  killed  during  win 
ter  by  washing  or  syringing  the  trees  with  coal-oil  di- 
luted with  three  parts  of  water. 

Carbonic  acid  gas,  applied  by  the  use  of  any  vapor- 


JTOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS.  71 


fire-extinguisher  directly  to  the  trees,  has  been 
tried  and  proved  a  sure  remedy. 

Wood-lice 

may  be  destroyed  by  placing  potatoes  cut  in  halves 
about  the  plants,  which  should  be  examined  every  day 
til]  they  disappear. 


GRUBS. 
Rose-grubs. 

Picking  off  by  hand  is  the  only  practical  remedy 
when  other  plans  fail  or  washes  have  no  effect. 

Grubs  in  Flower-gardens  and  nmong  Bulbs. 

Portions  ot  carrots  of  last  year's  growth  placed  an  inch 
below  the  surface,  between  tlie  rows  of  vegetables  or  of 
flowers,  will  draw  all  the  grubs,  and  they  can  be  taken 
up  now  and  then  and  be  captured  and  destroyed. 

Gooseberry -griibs. 

Brine,  tobacco-water,  and  snuff-water  are  efficient  to 
kill  after  the  grub  has  been  captured.  Hellebore  is  ex- 
cellent. 

The  gi-ound  underneath  the  bushes  may  be  trodden 
hard,  and  when  the  bushes  are  well  shaken  they  fall, 
and  are  easily  discovered  and  killed. 


fS  HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

BUGS,  BEETLES,  AND  MOTHS. 

JHealy-btiys. 

The  following  remedy  has  been  tried  on  grape-vines 
with  complete  success,  being  an  experiment  in  a  cold 
giapery  in  Glasgow,  Scotland  : 

The  walls  of  the  houses  were  given  two  coatings  of 
lime-wash  and  glue,  adding  half  a  pint  of  turpentine  to 
each  gallon  of  the  mixture. 

The  rafters  and  glass  were  also  given  at  intervals 
three  washings  of  turpentine,  and  finally  the  vines 
themselves  were  given  a  good  coating  of  the  following 
mixture: 

Three  ounces  of  soft-soap,  three  ounces  of  flower  of 
sulphur,  one  pint  of  tobacco-water,  two  wineglassfuls 
of  turpentine,  one  gallon  of  hot  water,  and  clay  enough 
to  give  it  the  consistency  of  paint.  The  result  was 
healthy  vines  and  a  fair  crop  of  grapes,  cleiin  and  tree 
from  mealy-bugs. 

Squash-  bugs. 

Place  small  pieces  of  boards,  chips,  or  even  green 
leaves  on  the  ground  close  around  the  vines.  The 
bugs  will  choose  these  as  hiding  places  during  the 
night.  In  the  morning  visit  them  before  their  eggs  are 
laid,  and  gather  and  destroy  them  all. 

A  gardener  near  Washington,  D.  C.,  uses  the  follow- 
ing remedy : 

*'  To  two-  quarts  of  gypsum  put  one  tablespoonful  ol 


HOW   TO   DESTROY  INSECTS.  73 

feerosene-ou  •  this,  sprinkled  on  the  vines  when  the 
dew  is  on,  will  generally  answer  for  the  season.  If  the 
bugs  return  repeat  the  operation. 

"  I  applied  it  this  season  on  several  thousand  hills 
ot  melons,  cucumbers,  etc.,  after  the  bugs  had  com- 
menced operations,  and  have  not  since  had  a  vine  de- 
stroyed. I  have  used  it  for  several  seasons  with  the 
same  result.  This  is  safer  and  cheaper  than  Paris 
green." 

May -bugs. 

A  successful  experiment  was  tried  in  Germany  for 
destroying  May-bugs  on  a  large  scale. 

It  is  known  that  these  bugs  always  select  warm  and 
loose  ground  for  the  depositing  of  their  eggs. 

Consequently  seventeen  artificial  breeding  places 
were  prepared  by  covering  fresh  cow-dung  with  fine 
earth,  and  by  the  middle  of  July  they  were  found  full 
of  eggs  or  grubs. 

After  collecting  these  eggs,  etc.,  they  were  burnt 
outside  the  forest. 

Aster -bugs. 

Plaster  sprinkled  over  the  plants  while  wet  with  the 
dew  will  put  them  to  flight.  It  is  also  an  efficacious 
remedy  for  the  rose -slug. 

Quassia-tea  will  also  keep  bugs  from  eating  aster 
flowers. 


74  HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

Ike  Striped  Bug. 

An  Illinois  gardener,  after  using  ground  or  calcined 
plaster  as  a  remedy  for  striped  bugs,  at  last  improved 
upon  it. 

"  I  used  Paris  green  and  calcined  plaster,  in  the 
proportion  of  one  of  the  former  to  fifteen  of  the  latter, 
as  a  destroyer  of  the  potato-bug,  mid  also  I  tried  it  on 
squash  and  vnelou  and  cacuraber  vines,  with  good  suc- 
cess. 

"  The  mixture  was  dusted  on  from  a  common  dredg- 
ing-box,  and  has  proved  equally  effectual  against  the 
Colorado  potato-beetle  and  the  striped  bug. 

"  On  squashes  of  the  tenderest  variety  of  foliage,  like 
the  HubbarJ,  for  instance,  and  on  the  hardier,  like 
Cmylin  and  the  winter  crookneck,  this  mixture  may  be 
put  on  while  the  plant  is  wet  or  dry,  and  does  not  in- 
jure them  ;  and  so  of  musk-melons  and  cucumbers.  But 
on  water-melons  the  mixture  must  be  used  with  care." 

Cucumber-bug. 

Mix  hellebore  and  flour  together  and  scatter  over  the 
vine  and  insects. 

Colorado  Potato-beetle. 

Paris  green  is  sufficient.  Mix  with  very  fine  ashes 
in  the  proportion  of  twenty  to  one.  Take  a  tomato- 
can,  with  holes  in  the  bottom  like  a  grater  and  a  cover 
on  the  top,  attach  to  a  long  pole,  and  dust  the  plants 
with  the  powder.  A  few  hours  will  be  sufficient  to  go 


HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS.  75 

over  an  acre.  One  or  two  applications,  even  when  $hs 
vines  and  ground  are  swarming,  will  rid  the  pest 
thoroughly. 

Cucumber-beetli. 

Use  Paris  green  in  the  following  proportions:  One 
part  green  to  six  parts  flour.  Apply  when  the  vines 
are  dry,  and  scatter  just  a  little  over  the  vines.  If 
too  much  is  spread  over,  the  vines  are  sure  to  be  killed. 

Codling-moth. 

The  following  method,  suggested  by  I  /of.  A.  J.  Cook, 
of  Agricultural  College,  Michigan,  is  the  most  success- 
fnl  and  effectual  that  can  be  adopted  : 

"Place  around  the  trunk  of  every  bearing  tree,  midway 
between  the  ground  and  branches,  a  woollen  cloth  about 
five  inches  wide,  and  sufficiently  long  to  pass  around 
and  lap  enough  to  tack.  This  may  be  fastened  with 
one  or  two  tacks.  I  have  usually  found  one  placed  in 
the  middle  to  be  quite  sufficient.  The  tack  should  not 
be  driven  quite  up  to  the  head.  Before  this  cloth  band 
is  adjusted  the  loose  bark  should  be  scraped  off.  This 
may  be  done  earlier  in  the  season  when  time  will  best 
permit.  The  bands  should  be  adjusted  by  June  20. 
Under  these  bands  the  '  worms '  will  secrete  them 
selves.  By  July  7  the  bands  around  the  earliest  apple- 
trees  should  be  unwound  and  examined,  and  the  larvae 
destroyed.  This  can  be  done  by  passing  the  bands 
s"irough  a  wrinirer,  or  by  unwinding  and  crushing  with 


76  HOW  TO   DESTROY  INSECTS. 

the  thumb.  Every  ten  days  after  the  first  round — 
every  nine  days  if  the  weather  is  dry  and  warm — the 
work  should  be  repeated  till  the  last  week  of  August, 
and  again  at  the  close  of  the  season  after  the  fruit  is 
gathered." 

Throw  lime  on  the  trees  when  the  dew  is  on,  or  just 
after  a  rain,  and  after  the  fruit  is  set ;  a  bellows  is  good 
for  scattering  it.  The  insects  will  not  go  where  the 
lime  is  scattered ;  they  will  go  away. 


ANTS. 

Recipes  for  Destroying  Ants. 

1.  Take  four  ounces  of  quassia-chips;   boil  for  ten 
minutes  in  a  gallon  of  water,  dissolving  in  the  liquid 
while  cooling  four  ounces  of  soft-soap. 

2.  Take  one  pound  of  black  soap,  dissolve  it  in   four 
gallons  of  water,  and  sprinkle  the  solution  through  a 
fine  rose  over  the  runs  and  nests,  taking  care,  however, 
not  to  water  the  roots  of  the  plants  with  it. 

3.  The  following  is  a  successful  poison  :  ferrocyanide 
of  potassium,  one  drachm;    raspings   of  quassia,  one 
drachm ;  sugar  in  sufficient  quantity  to  form  a  syrup. 
The  ants  are  said  to  devour  this  greedily  and  die  almost 
immediately. 

4.  Fresh  Peruvian  guano  will  drive  ants  from  any 


HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS.  77 

spot,  however  firm  a  hold  they  may  have  obtained 
on  it. 

Paraffine  and  benzoline  oil  are  said  to  have  the  same 
effect. 

Turpentine,  gas-water,  flowers  of  sulphur,  lime-water, 
a  decoction  of  elder  leaves,  chloride  of  lime  dissolved  in 
water,  and  camphor  have  all  been  used. 

5.  For  ants  in  a  lawn  put  a  large  flower-pot  over 
their  hole  or  place  of  operations.     The  ants  will  build 
up  into  the  pot,  and  in  a  short  time  it  may  be  lifted  up 
and  carried  away  and  dropped  into  a  vessel  of  water, 
which  will  be  the  end  of  them. 

6.  For  ants  on  fruit-trees  put  a  line  of  gas-tar  all 
around  the  tree,  and  that  will  stop  their  progress. 

7.  Ants  in  flower  or  garden  beds  may  be  destroyed 
as  follows : 

Take  two  ounces  of  soft-soap,  one  pound  of  potash, 
and  about  two  and  a  halt  pints  of  water.  Boil  the 
whole  together  for  sor.ie  time,  stirring  the  ingredients 
occasionally.  The  liquor  may  then  be  allowed  to  cool. 

With  a  pointed  stick,  or  dibble,  make  holes  wher- 
ever the  soil  is  infested.  Drop  the  mixture,  filling  the 
holes  full  once  or  twice. 

Fill  small  vials  two-thirds  with  water,  and  add 
sweet-oil  to  float  on  the  water  to  within  half  an  inch 
ol  the  top.  Plunge  these  upright  in  the  ground,  leav- 
ing only  half  an  inch  standing  out,  near  the  nest  or 
runs  of  the  ants.  The  ants  will  come  for  a  sip  and  go 


r8  HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

home  to  die.  No  insect  can  exist  with  oil  stopping;  ij> 
Its  spiracles,  or  breathing  pores. 

Boiling  water  ami  urseuic  are  iatal ;  coarse  spocg? 
dipped  ia  treacle- water,  and  afterwards  dipped  in 
scalding  water,  will  catch  thousands. 

May  be  destroy:  d  by  a  few  fresh,  unpicked  bones 
being  placed  for  them,  or  sponges  wetted  and  filled 
with  sugar,  or  treacle  in  bottles  or  pans. 


VABIOTJS  INSECTS. 

Wiggle-tails. 

Wiggle-tails  sometimes  get  into  a  tub  of  plants.  A 
Bmall  fish,  say  perch,  caught  in  any  stream  or  pond 
will  keep  the  water  entirely  free  from  this  pest,  and 
mosquitoes  will  nofc  bother. 

Keep  the  tub  full  as  it  evaporates.  Just  fill  tip  "with 
fresh  water ;  no  need  to  bail  the  water.  A  lady  kepi 
a  perch  in  a  tub  of  water-lilies,  and  the  tub  was 
free  from  all  pests  of  the  kind. 

Gooseberry  Saw-fly, 

Dust  white  hellebore  over  the  leaves  in  same  manner 
as  Paris  green  is  dusted  over  the  patch.  It  is  sure 
destruction.  If  mixed  with  water  there  will  be  no 
danger  from  the  inhalation  of  the  powder.  An  ounce 
to  a  pailful  of  water  is  a  good  proportion. 


TO  DESTROY  INSECTS.  79 

Hose-chafer. 

Spread  sheets  under  plants  attacked.  Shako  well; 
tho  insects  will  fall  and  may  be  quickly  destroyed. 

JRadisJi-fly. 

Hot  water  has  been  used  with  some  success. 

Cockroaches,   Crickets,  etc. 

Place  bell-glasses,  bottles,  smooth  or  glazed  pans, 
so  that  the  sides  are  in  a  slanting  position,  and  fill 
them  witli  treacle  and  water,  in  which  the  insects 
drown  themselves. 

Cockroaches  may  be  destroj'ed  with  certainty  by 
using  a  mixture  of  one  part  arsenic,  one  part  white 
sugar,  and  one  part  lard,  all  the  three  to  be  white.  It 
is  essential  that  the  arsenic  be  white/ or  failure  will  re- 
sult. 

Destruction  of  Cockchafers. 

A  French  gardener  adopted  this  ingenious  method  : 
"  After  sunset  I  place  in  the  centre  of  my  orchard  an 
ol<'  barrel,  the  inside  of  which  I  have  previously  well 
tarred.  At  the  bottom  of  the  barrel  f  place  a  lighted 
lamp.  Insects  of  many  kinds,  attracted  by  the  light, 
Jiake  for  the  lamp,  and  while  circling  round  it  strike 
against  the  sides  of  the  barrel,  where,  meeting  with  the 
tar,  their  wings  and  legs  become  so  clogged  that  they 
fall  helpless  to  the  bottom.  In  the  morning  I  examine 
the  barrel,  and  frequently  take  out  of  it  ten  or  twelve 
gallons  of  cockchafers  which  I  at  once  destroy.  A  few 


80  HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

cevfli'  worth  of  tar  employed  in  this  way  will,  without 
any  further  trouble,  be  the  means  of  destroying  innu- 
merable numbers  of  these  insects,  whose  larvae  are 
amongst  the  most  destructive  pests  the  gardener  or 
farmer  has  to  contend  against." 

Zo  Destroy  Blnck  Beetles. 

A  certain  remedy  is  to  procure  some  bracken,  Pteris 
aquihna,  or  common  fern,  plentiful  on  commons,  and 
put  it  down  about  the  house  at  night.  The  black 
beetle  will  eat  it  ravenously  and  POOH  die.  It  is  com- 
monly used  in  the  north  of  England. 

Insect  Enemies  of  the  Cabbage. 

jl  small  black  flea  in  great  swarms  eats  the  leaves  of 
cabbage-plants,  after  being  set  out  in  the  open  ground 
from  hot-beds.  A  slight  dusting  of  fresh -slacked  lime 
over  the  plants  in  the  morning,  while  wet  with  dew, 
will  drive  them  oft  or  kill  them.  Dust  the  plants  one 
morning,  and  again  the  second  morning  after  that ;  then 
the  job  is  finished.  The  flea  is  mere  fond  of  pepper- 
cress  than  cabbages,  so  that  if  the  cress  is  sown  thinly 
along  with  the  cabbage-seed  it  will  save  the  cabbages. 

Lice  on  Cabbages. — A  greenish,  mealy  louse,  in  vast 
numbers,  attacks  cabbages  when  nearly  full  grown. 
Two  dustings  of  fresh  lime  will  kill  them. 

Grubs. — A  black  grub,  which  lodges  in  the  ground, 
eats  through  the  stems  of  young  cabbages  after  being 
transplanted,  causing  the  heads  to  drop  off.  Whenever 


HOW  TO   DESTROY  INSECTS.  81 

that  is  observed,  search  around  the  plants  cut  off,  and 
find  the  grub  and  kill  it.  It  is  only  a  quarter  of  an 
inch  under  the  surface.  After  it  eats  off  one  plant  it  gets 
to  another ;  so  that  you  must  search  among  the  neighbor- 
ing plants,  if  not  found  where  it  has  been  devastating. 

Cabbage-lice. — As  soon  as  the  plant  begins  to  head, 
or  as  the  louse  makes  its  appearance,  open  the  leaves 
carefully  with  the  fingers,  and  sprinkle  common  sak 
between  them.  This  has  been  used  with  such  success 
that  many  gardeners  consider  it  infallible.  Plants  used 
in  this  way  produce  larger  and  more  solid  heads  than 
those  left  to  themselves. 

A  California  gardener  used  two  tablespoonfuls  of 
kerosene  mixed  with  a  pint  of  water,  and  applied  by 
rubbing  it  on  the  outside  leaves.  A  couple  of  applica- 
tions is  usually  sufficient. 

Cabbage-fly  on  Flowers. — The  cabbage-fly  sometimes 
infests  the  sweet  alyssum  and  other  sweet-scented 
flowers. 

A  syringing  with  water  in  which  a  few  drops  of 
coal-oil  has  been  spread  will  soon  dispose  of  him. 

Cabbage  Cut-worms. — Put  fresh-cut  grass,  cornstalks, 
*tc.,  in  heaps  here  and  there  in  the  cabbage- patch, 
inuring  the  night  the  larvae  will  find  and  crawl  within, 
und  are  easily  captured  and  destroyed. 

Another  method  will  be  to  wind  sized  paper  closely 
*i«/und  the  plants,  banking  it  slightly  with  a  little  loose 
earth.  Nothing  can  climb  up  this  smooth  surface. 


82  SOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS, 

MILDEW. 

JiXildetv  on  Hoses. 

Carbolic  soap,  veil  diluted  in  water,  will  destroy 
mildew  on  roses.  It  is  to  be  applied  \>y  sprinkling. 

A  good  wash  to  prevent  miklew  is  with  a  sponge  and 
soft-soap  water,  made  with  three  or  four  ounces  of  soft- 
soap  to  a  gallon  of  water  j  the  soap  should  be  dissolved 
in  cold  water. 


VARIOUS   WASHES   FOB   TREES   AND 
SHRUBS. 

Throw  slacked  lime  as  a  dust  over  trees  and  bushes 
when  the  foliage  is  wet. 

Syringe  with  soap-suds,  or  tobacco-water,  or  a  strong 
decoction  of  quassia  with  soap-suds.  Chloride  of  lime, 
a  weak  solution,  will  preserve  plants  from  insects  j 
sprinkle  well  over  them. 

Red  Spider  on  Currant  and  Gooseberry  Bushes. 

A  gardener  has  used  soluble  sulphur  in  large  quanti- 
ties for  the  destruction  of  red  spider  on  gooseberry  and 
currant  bushes,  nnd  prepares  it  as  follows :  "  I  slack 
some  quicklime,  and  mix  it  with  about  half  its  weight 
of  common  flour  of  sulphur  in  a  heap,  with  a  little 
water,  as  in  ranking  mortar.  After  lying  a  few  hours  I 
boil  it  for  twenty  minutes  in  a  large  boiler  of  water  in 


SOW  TO  DESTROY  TNSKCTS.  83 

about  the  proportion  of  one  gallon  to  one  pound  of  the 
mixture.  This  produces  a  sulphurous  liquid,  about  the 
color  of  porter,  two  or  three  pints  of  which  to  a  two- 
gallon  bucket  of  water  is  strong  enough  for  syringing; 
but  \ve  test  the  strength  by  dipping  a  spray  into  the 
bucket,  and  get  tho,  liquor  just  strong  enough  not  to 
damage  the  leaf;  it  too  strong  the  leaf  withers  in  an 
hour  or  two." 

Washes  for  Fruit-treea 

Lime  and  &u7jp7tur.— Take  of  quicn  or  unslacked 
lime  four  parts,  and  of  common  flour  of  sulphur  one 
part ;  break  up  the  lime  in  smali  pieces,  then  mix  the 
sulphur  with  it  in  an  iron  vessel ;  pour  on  them  enough 
boiling  water  to  slack  the  lime  to  a  powder ;  cover  the 
vessel  close  as  soon  as  the  water  is  poured  on.  This 
makes  a  most  excellent  whitewash  for  orchard  trees, 
and  is  very  useful  as  a  preventive  ot  blight  on  pear- 
trees,  to  cover  the  wounds  in  the  form  of  a  paste  when 
cutting  away  diseased  parts,  also  for  coating  the  trees 
in  early  spring. 

It  may  be  considered  as  a  specific  for  many  noxious 
insects  and  mildew  in  the  orchard  and  nursery.  Its 
material  should  always  be  read)*  at  hand;  it  should  be 
used  quite  fresh,  since  it  soon  loses  its  potency.  This 
preparation  should  be  sprinkled  over  the  young  plant 
as  soon  or  before  any  trouble  from  aphides,  thrips,  or 
mildew  occurs,  early  in  the  morning  while  the  dew  is 


84  HOW  TO   DESTROY  INSECTS. 

on  the  trees.  This  lime  and  sulphur  combination  is 
destructive  to  these  nests  in  this  way,  giving  off  gaseous 
sulphurous  compounds,  which  are  deadly  poison  to 
minute  life,  both  animal  and  fungoid ;  while  the  lime 
destroys  by  contact  the  same  things,  and  its  presence  is 
noxious  to  them.  In  moderate  quantities  it  is  not  in- 
jurious to  common  vegetable  life. 

Another  recipe  for  a  wash  for  orchard  trees  is  to  put 
one-half  bushel  of  lirne  and  four  pounds  of  powdered 
sulphur  into  a  tight  barrel,  slacking  the  lime  with  hot 
water,  the  mouth  of  the  barrel  being  covered  with  a 
cloth ;  this  is  reduced  to  the  consistency  of  ordinary 
whitewash,  and  one-half  ounce  of  carbolic  acid  is  added 
to  each  gallon  of  liquid  at  the  time  of  application. 
Apply  to  the  trunk ;  it  will  not  hurt  the  branches  or 
foliage  if  applied  to  them  also. 

An  experienced  fruit-grower  recommends  the  use  of 
the  following  simple  method  :  He  takes  lye  from  wood- 
ashes  or  common  potash,  mixes  a  little  grease  with  it, 
heats  quite  warm,  and  with  a  little  syringe  throws  it  up 
into  all  parts  of  the  tree,  branches  and  trunk.  It  will 
effectually  kill  all  kinds  of  caterpillars  and  worms  that 
are  infesting  the  tree  or  running  over  the  bark.  Trees 
treated  in  this  manner  are  exceedingly  healthy  and 
vigorous  in  appearance,  possessing  a  smooth,  glossy 
bark. 

An  Excellent  Wash  for  Garden  Trees  for  the  de- 
struction of  Moss. — Take  sal-soda,  which  costs  at  retail 


HOTT  TO   DESTROY  IXSXCT&  35 

from  three  to  six  cents  per  pound ;  place  it  in  a  skillet 
on  the  fire ;  ;t  will  soon  ^o  to  what  seems  water,  then 
evaporate  a  .,  I  leave  a  white  powder  j  keep  it  on  the  fire 
till  it  becomes  a  light  brown,  when  it  is  done.  Use  a 
fourth  of  a  pound,  or,  if  the  trees  are  much  covered 
with  moss  or  are  very  dirty,  use  half  a  pound  to  the 
gallon  of  water.  Wash  the  trunks  and  large  limbs, 
using  a  sponge  or  cloth.  It  can  be  used  at  any  season 
of  the  year,  but  winter  is  preferable.  This  wash  will 
not  injure  the  foliage  ef  the  most  delicate  plant.  In  a 
few  weeks  after  usinj",  the  trees  will  look  as  clean  and 
sleek  as  thoup-b  they  had  been  varnished,  and  their 
growth  and  healthy  appearance  will  be  most  astonish- 
ing. This  is  probably  the  best  and  cheapest  wash  for 
this  purpose  for  garden  use  that  can  be  suggested. 

Experiments  vAth  Carbclic  Soap. 

An  Ohio  horticulturist  succeeded  in  various  experi- 
ments with  carbolic  soap  as  follows  : 

Citt-iconns. — "  For  cut-worms  I  made  the  8oap-suds 
pretty  strong — two  gallons  of  water  to  half  a  pound  of 
soap — and  with  it  saturated  a  bushel  of  sawdust,  then 
placed  a  little  around  the  stem  of  each  cabbage  and 
tomato  plant,  using  a  handful  to  eight  or  ten  plants 
adding  a  little  more  after  two  or  three  days  when  tin; 
odor  seemed  gone.  This  was  completely  successful  in 
ground  where  the  worms  were  quite  plenty,  and  where 
plants  not  protected  were  speedily  cut  off  by  them.  It 


8B  HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

•*-• 

fs  the  cheapeot  and  most  easily  applied  remedy  for  gar 
den  insects  that  I  have  y^t  seen." 

Striped  Buys, — "  For  striped  bugs  on  melons  aca 
cucumber-vines  I  find  the  same  method  of  using  the 
soap  quite  effective,  if  the  sawdust  is  sprinkled  on  the 
plants  every  day,  which  is  very  little  trouble;  but  the 
plants  may  be  wet  directly  with  weak  suds,  made  ot  ten 
gallons  of  water  to  half  a  pound  ot  soap." 

Aphis  Plant-lice.— "  For  aphis  or  plant-lice  on 
cherry-trees  and  the  like  a  sprinkling  or  two  with  the 
suds  by  means  ot  a  sponge,  or  bending  the  ehoots  so  as 
to  dip  them  into  a  pail  or  basin,  is  speedy  death  to  the 
bugs.  Care  must  be  used  not  to  have  the  euds  too 
strong  when  applied  to  tender  plants  or  young  shoots 
of  trees." 

Grape-vine  Wormt, — Carbolic-acid  washes  are  cer- 
tain death  to  worms  that  infest  the  leaves  of  grape- 
vines. A  pound  of  the  article  dissolved  in  fifteen  or 
twenty  gallons  of  water  will  form  a  large  quantity, 
which  can  be  forced  bj*  a  syiinge  over  the  entire  vine, 
one  or  two  applications  drive  away  everything  of  in- 
sect nature. 

Wash  for  Peach-trees,  etc. — For  all  garden  fruit- 
trees  use  it  in  the  proportion  of  one  pound  of  soap  to 
ten  gallons  of  water ;  sprinkle  well  over  the  bark,  and 
ants,  worms,  borers,  flies  will  all  flee. 

Experiments  on  Garden  Trees,  Shrubs,  etc.,  with 
Carbolio  Soap.— The  editor  of  the  Horticulturist,  after 


UOW  TO  DESTROY  WSECTS.  87 

various  experiments,  says :  "  We  found  that  for  the 
large  measure-worm,  which  so  often  infests  our  city 
trees  and  grape-vines,  a  decoction  of  the  Carbolic 
Plant  Protector,  sufficiently  strong  to  kill  or  dislodge 
the  worm  itself,  was  strong  enough  to  scorch  and  injure 
the  leaves  of  the  vines  also.  But  for  bark-lice  and 
more  tender  worms  and  insects  it  was  a  mo.st  beneficial 
agent.  It  is  especially  useful  and  preventive  against 
future  attacks  of  insects.  If  plants  are  syringed  freely 
once  or  twice  a  week  the  o.ior  alone  will  repel  insects, 
while  there  is  no  doubt  the  eggs  of  future  progeny  are 
destroyed  also.  Our  first  application  to  the  grape-vines 
destroyed  the  worms,  but  scorckad  the  leaves  and  re- 
tarded the  ripening  of  the  fruit.  This  was  the  effect, 
probably,  of  being  too  strong.  The  odor,  however, 
remained  in  the  garden  and  on  the  groin.  '  for  several 
weeks,  and  there  was  no  attack  of  insectt.  thereafter. 
Some  caterpillar-nests  were  also  discovered,  but  a 
thorough  soaking  soon  placed  them  all  out  of  danger. 

"  For  clearing  the  barks  of  any  trees  infested  with 
lice  or  scales,  or  to  keep  off  worms  or  borers,  it  is  most 
excellent.  We  have  seen  worms  writhe  :u  agony  when 
under  the  fumes  of  the  acid,  and  a  single  touch  of  the 
raw  substance  upon  their  backs  has  killed  them  in 
thirty  seconds,  the  effects  upon  the  skin  being  like  that 
of  red-hot  iron  scorching." 

This  experience  has  been  confirmed  by  a  Pennsyl- 
vania gardener,  who  says : 


tiS  HOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

"  I  have  tried  it  upon  various  species  of  plants,  and 
it  has  proved  as  efficacious  in  destroying  insects  and 
preventing  their  ravages  upon  plants  as  whale-oil 
soap,  when  properly  applied.  When  syringed  upon 
the  plants,  a  pound  to  twelve  or  fourteen  gallons  of  soft 
water  has  proved  effective  and  safe ;  but  to  wash  the 
stems  of  trees,  make  it  doubly  strong — say,  to  trees  two 
inches  in  diameter,  one  pound  Protector  to  six  gallons 
of  water ;  and  tree-sterns  eight  inches  in  diameter,  four 
or  fivo  gallons  of  water  to  one  pound  of  potatoes,  and  so 
on.  It  is  an  excellent  thing  to  eyringe  plum-trees  before 
they  expand  their  bloom  and  after  their  fruit  is  set. 

"  It  will  also  prove  a  capital  safeguard  against  the 
various  specie.}  of  tree-borers  and  the  peach  cut-worm  ; 
but  it  must  be  used  with  caution,  as  it  is  very  strong. 
Cultivators  should  weaken  it  well  for  first  trial,  and  in- 
crease its  strength  gradually  until  they  see  its  beneficial 
effects  upon  different  species  of  plants. 

"  Habbits  in  winter  will  hardly  attack  trees  strongly 
coated  with  the  Protector  if  they  can  get  any  other 
food." 

Pheaphorrta  Soap. 

A  cultivator  who  had  not  been  successful  with  any  ol 
the  common  remedies  in  destroying  insects  at  las. 
found  phosphorus  soap  super- excellent  for  both  houscj 
green-house,  and  garden. 

wi.  tablespoonful  dissolved  in  a  gallon  of  water,  ap 


HOW  TO   DESTROY    TN8ECTS.  89 

plied  with  a  watering-pot  or  syringe,  will  completely 
clear  the  plants  of  insects.  It  is  abo  a  v<.luabl;  fertil- 
izer for  all  kinds  of  fLwers 

To  Destroy  Moss  an/*  Insects  on  Fruit-trees. 

One  year  somo  fruit-trees  in  the  grounds  cf  an  ama- 
teur horticulturist  in  France  were  covered  with  moss 
and  insects=  Tho  next  season  the  same  trees  could 
hardly  be  recognized,  their  barks  being  smooth,  glossy, 
and  healthy  c  Th "  recipe  is  as  follows  : 

"  Boil  two  gallons  of  barley  in  water,  and  then  take 
out  th  •  barley,  which  can  be  given  to  the  fowls.  In 
this  water  dissolve  ttire"  gallons  of  quick-lime.  When 
it  is  cold  mix  two  pounds  zf  lamp-black,  stirring  it  i'^r 
a  lonp1  time  with  a  stick ;  then  a  pound  and  a  half  of 
flowers  of  sulphur  (brimstone)  and  a  quart  of  alcohol. 
Daub  th"  trees  with  thi  by  means  of  a  paint-brush, 
after  having  scraped  off  the  moss  with  a  rough  hrnsh. 
This  composition  destroys  the  coccus,  the  grub,  moss, 
and  insects,  gives  strength  u,nd  suppleness  to  the  bark, 
and  certainly  revives  the  r.spest  of  fruit-trees." 

Gas-tar  Water  for  Garden  Insects. 

Insects,  worms,  etc,,  on  melons,  jucumbers,  Cab- 
bages, etc.,  may  be  destroyed  by  gas-tar  water  as  fol- 
lows 

"Get  a  barrel  with  a  few  gallons  of  gas-tar  in  i* , 
pour  water  on  the  tar,  always  have  it  :;eady  when 


90  SOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

needed,  and  when  the  bugs  appear  give  them  a  liberal 
drink  of  the  tar-water  from  a  garden-sprinkler;  if  the 
rain  washes  it  off  and  they  return,  repeat  the  dose." 

It  has  also  in  sonic  '"i=es  disposed  of  the  Colorado 
potato-beetle. 

Plant  Kennedies  for  Insects. 

The  seeds  of  the  absinthium  maritimum  are  deadly 
to  the  flea, 

The  odor  of  the  alder  is  very  obnoxious  to  moat  in- 
sects, 

On  a  hot  summer  day  cattle  may  be  seen  clustering 
around  the  alder  bushes,  whs/ever  in  their  fields,  for 
protection  against  the  stings  of  fj.es. 

The  perfume  of  the  chamomila  is  destructive  of  the 
acarns  scabici,  and  it  is  used  ja.  many  pomades  for  the 
treatment  of  scabies. 

An  infusion  of  chamomile  flowers  has  been  recom- 
mended as  a  wash  to  the  skin,  for  the  purpose  of  pro- 
action  against  gnats,  v  ho  shun  the  traitorous  pe'^iime, 

To  Prepare  Lime-dust. 

Take  a  peck  of  fresh  or  sharp  lime,  broken  up  into 
small  pieces,  then  add  four  pounds  of  flowers  of  sul- 
phur, or  in  like  proportions  if  in  smaller  quantity. 

Add  one-third  as  much  boiling  water,  or  just  enough 
to  slack  the  lime  to  dry  powder,  and  cover  the  vessel  as 
Wi?  is  the  water  is  poured  on.  By  adding  water  it 


BOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS.  91 

may  bo  made  into  an  excellent  whitewash  for  trees,  the 
sulphur  increasing  its  efficacy. 

Ground,  Aphis  on  Verbena,?. 

The  ground  aphis  sometimes  preys  upon  the  roots  ot 
verbenas,  causing  th^  plant  to  appear  as  if  mildewed. 
These  insects  arc  destroyed  by  washing  the  soil  with 
a  tepid  decoction  of  tobacco,  about  the  color  of  strong 
green  tea,  every  day  for  a  week  or  ten  days. 

Moles  in  Flower-beds. 

a.  Catch  in  traps. 

60  Destroy  by  placing  pieces  of  raw  meat  rubbed 
with  stick  phosphorus  in  their  runs. 

c.  Plant  the  ricinus,  or  castor-oil  bean,  in  thug-round 
where  they  make  their  runs.  This  is  called  the  mole- 
plant,  because  cf  this  peculiar  property,,  Those  who 
have  tried  this  remedy  have  found  it  unvarying  in  its 
success. 

Traps. 

Get  some  cabbage-leaves,  warm  them  in  an  oven  till 
hog's  lard  will  spread  on  the  surface ;  place  them  ovei 
night  near  your  favorite  plants,  and  almost  every  slug 
will  bo  found  under  them  in  the  morning.  There  must 
be  DO  salt  in  the  lard. 


PART  III. 


INSECTS  IN  THE  HOUSE. 


ANTS. 


a.  A  SMALL  bag  of  sulphur  kept  in  a  drawer  or  cup- 
board will  drive  away  red  ants. 

b.  Scatter  branches  of  sweet  fern  where  they  congre- 
gate. 

c.  Place  half-picked  bones  of  meat  here  and  there  on 
the  shelves  and  wherever  the  ants  resort,  and  on  visiting 
them  an  hour  afterward  they  will  be  covered  with  ants. 
Have  a  bucket  of  scalding  water  in  hand,  and  drop  the 
swarming  bones  into  it.     Many  thousands  may  be  de- 
stroyed by  this  plan. 

d.  Pieces  of  coarse  sponge  dipped  in  treacle  (molasses) 
water  will  do  as  well  as  the  bones. 

e.  Sugar-boxes  and  barrels  and  anything  in  the  house 
can  be  freed  from  ants  by  drawing  a  wide  chalk  mark 
jufct  around  the  edge  of  the  top  of  them.     The  mark 

98 


SOW   TO    DESTROY  INSECTS.  93 

must  be  unbroken,  or  they  will  creep  over  it,  but  a  con- 
tinuous chalk-mark  half  an  inch  in  width  will  set  their 
depredations  at  naught. 

/.  A  house  that  was  infested  with  ants  by  the  myriads 
was  thoroughly  cleansed  as  follows  : 

Baits  of  raw  meat  were  laid,  which  were  speedily 
covered  with  them.  These  were  rinsed  in  hot  water 
and  relaid. 

Two  men  were  thus  engaged  for  two  days  actively  at 
work,  and  no  apparent  diminution.  All  the  woodwork 
of  kitchen,  cellar,  and  scullery  was  examined.  All  the 
woodwork  and  walls  were  covered  with  a  good  dose  of 
fresh  hot  lime-whiting,  and  afterward  these  places  were 
fumigated  with  sulphur  for  three  or  four  days. 

All  the  nooks,  corners,  chimneys,  fireplaces,  mantels 
were  examined,  and  every  crevice,  haunt,  etc.,  dosed 
with  quicklime.  Then  the  pest  ceased,  and  never 
gave  trouble  again. 

y.  Take  naphtha  and  scatter  on  them  or  around 
where  they  gather. 


BEDBUGS. 

a.  Powdered  alum  or  borax  will  keep  bedbugs  or 
chintz-bugs  away,  and  travellers  will  find  it  very  ad- 
vantageous to  carry  a  bundle  of  it  in  their  hand-bags  to 
scatter  under  or  over  their  pillows  or  beds  in  hotels.  A 
gentleman  who  used  it  says:  "  While  staying  at  a  hotel 


94:  SOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS. 

once  with  a  party,  most  of  whom  complained  sadly  of  the 
nightly  attacks  of  these  disgusting  insects,  I  was  able  to 
keep  them  entirely  at  bay  by  its  use,  and  I  distributed 
the  contents  of  my  bundle  among  the  party,  to  their 
great  relief." 

b.  Scald  with  hot  water  every  crack  where  they  find 
refuge.    Be  careful  not  to  let  the  vuter  touch  the  var- 
nish.    If  it  should  by  accident,  it  may  be  restored  by 
rubbing  immediately  with  a  rag  wet  in  turpentine  or 
oil. 

c.  Fill  crevices  with  salt,  and  wash  bedstead  with 
brine,  or  use  kerosene  in  same  way. 

cl.  Paris  green  and  mercurial  ointments  are  deadly  poi- 
sons to  the  bugs,  but  are  dangerous  to  use  in  the  house. 

c.  One  part  quicksilver  to  twenty  parts  white  of  an 
egg,  applied  with  a  feather  to  every  crack  and  crevice 
in  a  bed-room,  will  kill  them. 

/.  Mix  together  one  ounce  cf  corrosive  sublimate, 
one  of  gum  camphor,  one  pint  of  spirits  of  turpentine, 
and  one  of  alcohol.  Put  the  mixture  in  a  bottle  and 
apply  with  a  feather ;  but  be  very  careful,  for  it  is  rank 
poison.  They  can  also  be  destroyed  by  an  ointment 
composed  of  quicksilver  and  benzine. 

The  proportions  of  the  mixture  may  be  varied  as  fol- 
lows: one  quarter  pound  of  corrosive  sublimate,  one 
ounce  of  camphor  gum,  one  half  gallon  of  benzine,  one 
half  gallon  of  hot  water ;  paint  witu  a  brush  every  crack 
and  device,  bedstead,  etc. 


BOW  TO  DESTROY  INSECTS.  95 

fj.  Dust  well  the  bedstead,  crevices,  ixnd  niches  where 
they  are  with  cayenne  pepper. 


COCKROACHES. 

a.  Gum  camphor  is  one  cf  the  best  things  ever  found  j 
they  always  take  quick  leave  where  that  is  introduced. 
Scatter  it  upon  the  shelves,  and  in  the  corners  of  the 
pantry,  and  through  closets,  and  these  vermin  will  leave. 
The  only  trouble  is  that  it  evaporates  so  soon  that  it 
needs  renewal  every  week.    Spirits  of  camphor,  although 
more  evanescent  than  the  gum,  will  hasten  their  depar- 
ture more  speedily. 

b.  Powdered  borax,  sprinkled  around  infested  places, 
drives  them  away  at.  once. 

c.  Sweetened  vinegar  and  strychnine  will  destroy  any 
house-bug. 

d.  The  small  land  terrapin,  commonly  called  "  center," 
wages  unrelenting  war  against  them  if  placed  where 
they  frequent.     He  is  more  successful  than  any  of  the 
powders. 

e.  "  The  best  thing  I  have  ever  tried  is  a  quantity  of 
red  wafers,  such  as  were  used  to  seal  letters  in  old  times. 
thrown  where  the  roaches  mostly  hide,  under  the  floors 
or  in  the  bottom  of  presses—in  fact,  anywhere  they  can 
be  safely  put  out  of  reach  of  children. 

f.  "  I  give  a  recipe  to  your  correspondent  who  wishes 
to  know  how  to  get  rid  of  the  insects  he  calls  cockroaches, 


96  HOW  TO  DESTROY  IX SECTS. 

although  I  think  he  misnames  them.  Let  his  wife  finish 
making  peach  preserves  late  at  night  in  a  smooth,  bright 
brass  kettle  j  then  persuade  her  it  is  too  late  to  clean 
the  kettle  till  morning,  but  set  it  against  the  wall  where 
the  insects  are  thickest,  and  retire  to  rest.  In  the  morn- 
ing he  will  find  the  sides  of  the  kettle  bright  as  a  new 
dollar,  but  he  will  find  every  insect  that  was  hungry  in 
the  bottom  of  the  kettle,  when,  if  he  uses  the  recipe  as  I 
did,  he  will  treat  them  to  a  sufficient  quantity  of  boil- 
ing water  to  render  them  perfectly  harmless.  As  I 
thought  molasses  cheaper  than  peach-preserve  juice,  I 
ever  afterwards  baited  the  same  trap  with  molasses,  and 
I  caught  the  last  one  of  millions.  I  pity  any  person 
troubled  with  them.  I  have  lived  thirty  years  since 
making  the  discovery  (accidental),  and  have  never  had 
to  repeat  it.  UNCLE  JOHN.'' 

fj.  Sprinkle  the  floor  with  hellebore  at  night  j  they  will 
eat  it  and  be  poisoned. 


MOTHS. 

No.  1.  Make  a  solution  of  one  ounce  of  gum  cam- 
phor, one  ounce  of  powdered  red  pepper,  in  eight 
ounces  of  alcohol ;  let  stand  for  one  week,  and  strain. 
Sprinkle  the  furs  or  cloth  with  it,  and  wrap  in  cloth  or 
strong  paper. 

To  keep  them  out  of  carpets  wash  floor  with  turpen- 
tine or  benzine  before  laying  them. 


HOW    TO  DESTROY  INSECTS.  97 

No.  2.  Dust  fars  with  powdered  alum,  working  it  in 
well  at  the  roots  of  the  hair.  Do  not  air  woollen 
articles  aud  furs  in  the  summer  sunshine.  They  should 
he  put  aside  in  the  early  spring,  and  left  untouched 
until  October. 

Moths  in  Carpets,  Woollens^  etc. 

a.  Several  pieces  of  camphor  gum,  as  large  as  hick- 
ory-nuts, should  be  packed  in  with  all  woollen  garments 
and  furs.  Infested  garments  or  furs  should  be  put  iu 
a  tight  sack  or  trunk,  and,  after  adding  a  half-ounce  of 
chloroform,  the  sack  or  trunk  should  be  closed  as  nearly 
air-tight  as  possible.  The  vapor  will  kill  the  insects. 

I.  For  furniture  and  carpets,  heavy  paper,  wet  with 
carbolic  acid  or  spirits  of  turpentine,  will  kill  larvae 
already  at  work.  This  should  be  placed  under  the  edge 
of  the  carpet  where  the  mischief  is  generally  done,  aud 
in  furniture  crowded  back  in  the  deep  folds.  Russian 
leather,  cedar  bark  or  boughs,  tobacco-leaves,  and  even 
red  pepper,  are  said  to  prevent  the  moths  from  laying 
eggs- 

c.  Another  way  of  destroying  moths  in  carpets  is  to 
take  a  wet  sheet  or  other  cloth,  lay  it  upon  the  carpet, 
and  then  run  a  hot  flat-iron  over  it,  so  as  to  convert  the 
water  into  steam,  which  permeates  the  carpet  beneath 
and  destroys  the  moth  and  her  eggs.  It  can  be  done 
without  taking  up  the  carpet,  and  has  proved,  after 
trials,  remarkably  efficient. 


98  HOW   TO   DESTROY  INSECTS. 

d.  To  prevent  moths,  use  camphor,  Persian  powder, 
or  benzine  freely.  Wrap  clean  woollens  carefully  in 
paper  or  cotton  cloths,  and  they  will  be  secure  unless 
they  are  soiled;  moths  will  attack  soiled  places.  If 
moths  are  already  in  your  carpets,  wring  a  coarse  cloth 
out  of  clean  water,  spread  it  smoothly  on  the  part  of 
the  carpet  where  the  moths  are,  or  are  suspected  to  be, 
and  iron  it  with  a  pretty  hot  iron.  The  steam  will  de- 
stroy both  the  moths  and  eggs.  Also,  take  boiling-hot 
alum-water  and  dip  cloths  into  it,  and  saturate  the  car- 
pets with  it.  Moths  deposit  their  eggs  in  the  early- 
part  of  the  spring,  and  that  is  the  time  to  attend  to 
furs.  Beat  the  furs  with  a  light  rattan,  and  air  them 
for  several  hours;  then  carefully  comb  them  with  a 
clean  coarse  comb,  wrap  them  up  in  newspapers  per- 
fectly tight,  and  put  them  away  in  a  tight  linen  bag  or 
a  chest.  Examine  them  several  times  during  the  sum- 
mer, and  repeat  the  combing  process. 

Woollen  articles  can  be  kept  from  moths  by  dusting 
them  over  with  red  pepper  or  putting  camphor  gum 
among  them. 


FLEAS. 

Coal-oil  will  kill  fleas  either  on  animals  or  in  the 
house.  The  addition  of  a  small  quantity  of  oil  penny- 
royjil  improves  it.  Another  effectual  exterminaton 
which  can  be  used  on  house  dogs  and  cats  without 


BOW  TO   DESTROY  INSECTS.  99 

causing  any  inconvenience  ia  the  Persian  insect  powder 
(flowers  of  the  Pyretlimm  carneum),  growing  upon  the 
Caucasian  mountains,  and  imported  into  this  country 
and  used  extensively  for  the  above  purpose,  and  sold 
by  druggists  in  the  form  of  Lyon's,  Drake's,  and  other 
insect  powders,  in  small  bottles,  retailing  for  twenty- 
five  cents.  Any  druggist  can  order  it  in  bulk,  costing 
from  75  cents  to  $1  per  pound.  Better  to  get  the 
whole  flowers  and  powder  them  yourself,  as  it  is  often 
adulterated  with  chamomile  and  other  worthless  flowers. 
This  is  very  sure  death  to  fleas,  and  the  writer  has 
collected  a  tablespoonful  of  fleas  from  a  small  dog  in  a 
few  minutes  after  use.  Sprinkle  the  powder  over  the 
animal  and  see  that  it  comes  in  contact  with  the  ver- 
min. It  is  perfectly  harmless,  and  also  said  to  be  cer- 
tain death  to  bedbugs  and  roaches. 

Sprinkle  about  a  few  drops  of  oil  of  lavender. 


FLIES. 
Paint  walls  or  rub  over  picture-frames  with  laurel- 


CONTENTS.; 


PAGE 

PAGE 

32 

Cockchafers 

79 

Alum-wyater  

Ants 

76 

Cockroaches,  etc  

Ants  in  the  House  

.     92 

.      95 

Ants,  Black,  on  Peonies  

..     19 

Codling  Moth  

.     75 

Ants,  Potash  for  

.     50 

Cold  Water  

.     46 

Aphis  8,9,12,86,91 

Colorado  Potato-beetle  

.     74 

Aster-bugs  

.     73 

Cucumber-beetle  

..     75 

Bark-louse  

.     70 

"         bug  

..    74 

Bed-bugs  

.     93 

Currant-louse 

..    69 

Black  Beetles  

.    80 

worms  

..     67 

Borer  and  Bark-louse  

..    70 

"            "     

..    66 

Cabbage-lice  

..    81 

Earth-worms  

..    20 

Cabbage-fly 

.    81 

Epsom  Salts        

..    56 

"       Cut-worms  

..    81 

Fertilizers  for  House  Plants 

..     54 

"       Insect  Enemies  

..     80 

Fleas  

..     98 

Worms  63, 

64,65 

Flies  

..     25 

Canker-worm  Remedy  

..     68 

"            

..     98 

Canker-worms  

..     68 

Frost-bitten  Plants  

3* 

Carbolic  Soap-suds  

5  |  Fumigating  14, 

15,  1C 

..     12 

Gas-tar  Water  

..    89 

"       Soap  

..     85 

Good  Wash  for  Plants  .  .   .  . 

..    55 

Caterpillars  

..     60 

Gooseberry  -grubs        

..     71 

"         on  Cabbage,  etc. 

..     60 

Gooseberry  Saw  Fly  

..     78 

on  Gooseberries. 

..     61 

Grape-vine  Worms  

..    86 

Coal-oil  

.  .    31    Green  Bugs  

45,  46 

..     56         "     Fly  ..'  8 

12,28 

CONTENTS. 


Green  Lice  

PAGE 

...     24 

Quassia-tea  
Radish-fly  

PAGE 

..     10 
..     79 
..    67 
.     50 
',28,82 
..    27 
..     79 
..    30 
..    71 
26 

Grubs  in  Flower-gardens.  . 
"      in  Pots 

....    71 
.    23 

Hellebore  for  Caterpillars 
House  Insects  
Insects  on  Rose-bushes.  .  . 
Kerosene  
Leaf  -lice  on  Fruit-trees.  .  .  . 
Lice  on  Rose-bushes  

...    62 
...    32 
...    53 
...     31 
....    69 
...    51 
...    90 
...     20 
...    37 
...     73 
17 

Red  Pepper  
Red  Spider,  Remedies.  5,  6,  ' 

Rose-chafer  

Lime-water  for  Worms.  .. 
Manure-  water  
May-bugs  
Mealy-bug  

"     slugs    *... 
Salt  and  Hot  Water 

.  .    52 
31,30 
44 

Salt  for  Roses  
Scale 

..    54 

18 

39 

"        "on  Grape-vines 
Mildew  on  Roses  

....    48 
...     72 
..      82 
29 

39 

"    on  Ivy  
Scotch  Snuff  
Slugs  on  Begonias  

...    25 
..     30 
..     19 
..    58 
...    58 
60 
...    58 
...     26 
25 

Moles  in  Flower-beds  
Moles,  Traps  

...    91 
...    91 
...    89 
...    96 
....    97 
...    24 
....     69 
...     29 
.  ..     57 
.  .  .  .     12 
.  ..    88 
...    24 
...    36 
...     90 
....    56 
...     59 
...     52 

"     on  Cabbages  
"     on  Cherries  
"     on  Jessamines  
"     on  Currants  
"     Rose  
Snails 

Moths  

Oleander-bugs.  .  .    
Onion-maggot  
Paris  Green  
Pear-slugs  
Persian  Insect  Powder  — 
Phosphorus  Soap  
Plant-lice  
Plant  Parasites  .. 

...    37 

Squash-bugs  

...    72 

.  ..    51 
...     74 

Striped  Bug    

86 

Submerging  Plants  
Sulphur  

.  ..     16 

...      7 

Plaster-of-Paris  
Plum-slugs  
Quassia  for  Rose-bugs.  .  .  . 

Tobacco-powder  
inDish  

..    43 
...      9 
..     15 

CONTENTS. 


PAGE  | 


PAGE 


Tobacco-tea    34  .  White  Spots  on  Window-sills.    36 


for  Green  Bugs  . . . 

"       water 

Tomato- worms  

Verbenas,  Aphis 

Verbena-rust 

Wash  for  Garden-trees 

Washes  for  Fruit-trees 

Whale-oil  Soap 

White  Hellebore.... 


45         "    Worms 20 

32    Wiggletails 78 

68  ,  Wire-worms  65 

91    Wood-lice  ...  . .    70,  71 


41 


" 19 

Worms  on  Honeysuckle  Vinos  67 

on  Lawns 67 

"  in  Pots 30,  sil,  22.23 

Yellows....  ..  29 


9 

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